The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has transferred a historic $2.965 billion dividend to the national government. This payment for the 2025 fiscal year marks a significant 20 percent increase from the previous year’s contribution.
The funds, delivered directly to the National Treasury, consist of $2.372 billion from the waterway’s operational surplus and $591 million from tonnage duty payments. An additional $2 million covers fees for public services. This total exceeds the ACP’s original budget projection for the year by 6.3 percent, or roughly $175.5 million.
Ceremony Highlights Workforce Contribution
President José Raúl Mulino formally received the ceremonial check during an event at the ACP’s Fleet and Equipment Maintenance Division in Colón Province. The document was presented not by a senior executive but by Jaime Anderson, a 17-year veteran mechanic foreman representing the Canal’s workforce and descendants of the Antillean immigrants who built it.
“Seeing this here is seeing the Canal on a grand scale,” said President Mulino. [Translated from Spanish] He congratulated workers for their performance and dedication.
The president emphasized the critical role of the Canal’s employees in this success. President Mulino specifically highlighted the pride instilled by second-generation canal workers, stating the workforce transition is secure. He argued the Canal’s unique work culture remains fundamental for both the institution and Panama itself.
Traffic Recovery Drives Financial Performance
Officials directly linked the dividend surge to a robust recovery in vessel transits. The Panama Canal faced a severe drought from July 2023 to May 2024 that restricted daily passages to 25. That number recovered to an average of 33 transits per day during fiscal year 2025, which runs from October 2024 to September 2025.
This operational rebound translated into strong financial results. The ACP reported total fiscal year 2025 income reached $5.705 billion, a 14.4 percent increase over the previous period. Net profit hit $4.134 billion, surpassing budget forecasts by $372 million.
The waterway registered 13,404 total transits, a 19.3 percent year-over-year increase. Of those, 3,342 were Neopanamax vessels and 10,062 were Panamax vessels. Cargo volume also rose sharply. The Canal handled 489.1 million Panama Canal Universal Measurement System (PC/UMS) tons, a 15.6 percent jump from the 423.1 million tons recorded in fiscal year 2024.
The event was attended by key government and Canal officials, including Canal Affairs Minister José Ramón Icaza, Economy and Finance Minister Felipe Chapman, and ACP Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez and Deputy Administrator Ilya Espino de Marotta. Their presence underscored the national economic importance of the dividend transfer. The Panama Canal Authority continues to be a primary contributor to state revenues, funding public services and infrastructure projects across the country.