Sept 1 (Reuters) – The Panama Canal Authority expects to generate $5.56 billion in revenue and contribute $3.61 billion directly to the national treasury for fiscal year 2027, according to a budget proposal presented to the Cabinet on Tuesday.
The waterway projects 10,750 high-draft vessel transits for the period starting October, even as it prepares for challenging water conditions and the potential for a strong El Niño phenomenon.
• Direct treasury contributions would rise $414 million from the $3.19 billion approved for fiscal year 2026.
• Combined with other state payments — including income tax, social security and educational insurance — total transfers to the state would reach $3.94 billion.
• Between October 2025 and July 2026, the canal recorded 10,623 high-draft vessel transits.
• Toll structure remains unchanged for fiscal year 2027, with no modifications to existing customer tariffs, though the per-net-ton fee rises from $1.00 to $1.75 per CP/SUAB ton.
• New investment spending totals $341.3 million, covering capital projects, contingency provisions and strategic project development.
• The Rio Indio lake project, a water-management initiative, has $82 million in planned spending, with initial resettlements and construction design tenders set to begin during the fiscal year.
• The proposal goes next to Panama’s National Assembly for consideration.
(Reporting by Kylie Madry and Natalia Siniawski)
