25 years after return to Panama, Panama Canal continues to drive economic growth, global trade

Twenty-five years after its return to Panama, the Panama Canal, an artificial waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, continues to play a pivotal role in the nation's economy, contributing six percent to Panama's GDP and significantly impacting global trade.

The canal was completed by the United States in 1914 and returned to Panama in 1999 under a treaty signed by then U.S. President Jimmy Carter and then Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos. The deal relinquishes American control over the canal by year 2000 and guarantees its neutrality.

According to a report by the Panama Canal Authority, a total of 9,944 deep-draft ships passed through the canal in fiscal year 2024. The total revenue for the year reached 4.986 billion U.S. dollars, with a net income of 3.453 billion U.S. dollars. These figures not only highlight the Panama Canal's busy operations but also underscore its critical importance to global trade.

"We are making sea freight more economical by ensuring an even distribution. The Neopanamax lock can serve 10 to 11 ships, and the Panamax lock can accommodate 26 to 27 ships daily. In total, the Panama Canal operates 36 times a day, and smaller ships can share an opening, allowing up to 40 ships to pass through," said Ilya Espino de Marotta, deputy administrator and chief operations officer of the Panama Canal.

The Panama Canal is not just a vital waterway connecting two oceans, but also a lifeline of global trade. Today, thanks to modern management by the Panamanian people, the canal continues to facilitate international commerce.

"For the past 25 years, the Panama Canal has been operated by Panamanians, handling six percent of global trade. The primary goods transported through the canal are from Asia to the eastern United States, accounting for 74 percent of the canal's total cargo volume, ultimately reaching eastern U.S. ports. The canal not only belongs to Panama, but is also a resource that serves the entire world," said Arauz, a Panamanian economist.

25 years after return to Panama, Panama Canal continues to drive economic growth, global trade

25 years after return to Panama, Panama Canal continues to drive economic growth, global trade

25 years after return to Panama, Panama Canal continues to drive economic growth, global trade

All 1,248 players of the 48 teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been confirmed following the submission of final squad lists to FIFA, the world football governing body announced Tuesday.

Lionel Messi of Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico will feature in their sixth World Cup campaigns, while Cabo Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan are going to play their first World Cup.

The tournament opens on June 11 and 104 matches will be played in Canada, Mexico and the United States, with the final to be played on July 19.

"The confirmed squad lists underline the scale and enduring appeal of the tournament with 357 players returning after at least one previous FIFA World Cup squad inclusion. Some 891 players are set to experience the competition for the first time, highlighting both continuity and renewal across the global game," FIFA said.

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon will be the oldest player at the tournament at 43 years and 162 days old, while Mexico's Gilberto Mora will be the youngest at 17 years and 240 days old. There will be 22 players under 20 years old and seven players aged 40 or above at the start of the tournament.

FIFA World Cup squads confirmed