The plenary session of the National Assembly, chaired by Mrs. Dana Castañeda, ratified Luis Alberto Roquebert Vanegas as administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) and Minister of Maritime Affairs from 2024 to 2029.

The ratification of Roquebert as the new administrator of the PMA was supported by the Credential Commission of the Assembly, chaired by Mrs. Shirley Castañeda, after reviewing his documentation and verifying that he meets the necessary requirements to occupy the position.

“I am committed to working relentlessly for the institution that I now represent. This new chapter of the Authority will be marked by transparency, ethics and excellent service,” said Roquebert upon undertaking his position.

The new administrator of the PMA recognized the significant challenges and unprecedented opportunities to strengthen Panama’s position as a leader in the maritime sector. He highlighted the need to implement automated systems to optimize processes and improve the user service of the Panama Ship Registry, which hosts the largest number of vessels worldwide and faces a growing competition.

In terms of international cooperation, the new administrator stressed his commitment to the recruitment of newly built ships, the acceptance of vessels under world-class standards and the purging of the merchant fleet to comply with the agreements established in the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (Paris MOU).

Panama, with an extensive coastline on the Pacific and Atlantic, needs an aggressive investment plan for the construction and maintenance of port infrastructure. Currently, the country is preparing for an audit by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to certify compliance with high levels of port security, explained engineer Roquebert .

Under Roquebert´s administration, the PMA hopes to achieve the implementation of the VTS (Vessel Traffic System), which will allow coastal monitoring, accident reduction, detection of oil spills, identification of illegal vessels, and fight drug trafficking and piracy.

Luis Roquebert, who graduated in Mining Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla in 1979 and completed the Senior Management Program at INCAE in 1989, has a solid professional career of 39 years at Petroterminal de Panamá, S.A. (PTP), where he held various intermediate positions, until he became general manager.

From this moment on, engineer Roquebert will apply his broad experience to take advantage of the great opportunities of the transit culture of the Isthmus and promote the economic and social development of Panama.

From this strategic position, the new administrator intends to protect national interests, protect the environment, strengthen the best practices in terms of security for ships under the Panamanian flag and ensure the wellbeing of the maritime community in general, to consolidate Panama as the ultimateglobal logistics hub. Beginning of the form