Panama Canal strengthens relationship with Japan

A Panama Canal delegation headed by Jorge L. Quijano visited Japan to hold discussions with the Japan Shipowners' Association (JSA) and major Japanese shipping lines, as well as end customers such as energy sector companies.

Commenting on the visit, Quijano said: "The Panama Canal strives to have face-to-face meetings with our customer base. We aim to be more accessible to our clients, to understand their needs and implement systems that support the service we offer."

Japanese shippers

Japan is among the top five user nations of the Panama Canal: the country's top three shipping lines, Nippon Yusen Kaisha Line (NYK), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Line (K-Line), rank among the top 20 customers of the waterway.

The delegation also had the opportunity to meet with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to discuss the progress of the Expansion Program.

LNG shipments

The expansion of the canal will open new possibilities for the shipments of LNG through the waterway, which will open a potential for Japan to import LNG from the US Gulf Coast.

The delegation held meetings with stakeholders in the natural gas sector including Astomos Energy Corporation, Tokyo Gas and Japan Coal Development Co. Ltd. (JCD).

"It is important to maintain close contact with our customers. We have plans to visit our US and European customers next year," Quijano concluded.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/lng-shipping/21112014/japan-receives-panama-canal-delegation-1832/