By: Staff Writer
November 8, 2025
The Panama Canal administrator Ricaurte Vásquez said during a recent interview that the long term vision for the canal includes capturing the growing volume or trade between the US and Asia.
Vásquez, who was speaking in a fireside chat moderated by senior CNBC editor Lori Ann LaRocco at the Houston International Maritime Conference (HIMC), said: “Almost everything that comes from the U.S. going to Asia goes through the Panama Canal…. If we do nothing, we’re going to lose that part of the market share. Our long-term vision for the canal includes capturing that growing volume.”
Vásquez spoke about the strategic development of a gas pipeline and the construction of two ports at both ends of the canal.
Through these projects, the Panama Canal seeks to strengthen its capacity while mitigating risks from climate shifts and global uncertainty.
“We are working hard to ensure that environmental and climate conditions do not disrupt operations. But, through these projects, we are also guaranteeing that the Panama Canal remains committed to diversification with investments that provide operational assurance for the industry,” Vásquez said.
Meanwhile, the canal is allowing for more cruise ships to pass through as Princess Cruises announced its expanding its Caribbean and Panama Canal presence in a significant way, announcing its largest and most wide-ranging deployment for the 2027–28 season. The schedule includes 31 ports across five homeports and adds Celebration Key — Carnival Corporation’s new destination on Grand Bahama — to the line’s Caribbean lineup for the first time.
The addition of Celebration Key begins Nov. 1, 2026, when Star Princess becomes the first Princess ship to call at the new destination. Regal Princess follows on Nov. 9, with Caribbean Princess, Enchanted Princess, Sky Princess and Sun Princess scheduled to visit during the 2026–27 and 2027–28 seasons.
Celebration Key is designed as a combined relaxation-and-adventure stop with calm lagoons, family activities and a broad mix of dining and leisure spaces. Bookings for island experiences, including cabanas, open Dec. 17.