Panama Is Re-Elected as an IMO Category A Seat; Canal Completes Strong FY2025 with Record Transits
Panama secured reelection to the International Maritime Organization Council's Category A category on December 1, 2025, further cementing its maritime leadership. The Panama Canal Authority reported exceptional fiscal year 2025 results: Transits increased 19.3% year over year to 13,404 vessels after drought recovery while cruise operations resumed with Queen Elizabeth transits.
Panama Retains Strategic IMO Council Position
On December 1, 2025, Panama was re-elected to Category A of the International Maritime Organization Council with 148 votes at the 34th IMO Assembly. This re-election underscores Panama's centrality to global maritime governance while acknowledging international acknowledgement of their leadership in shipping regulation and environmental standards.
Panama's Permanent Mission conducted an intensive diplomatic campaign to gain support among member states and win their vote, emphasizing its credentials as operator of one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints and administrator of its largest ship registry. Panama's election confirms their dedication to international maritime safety, environmental protection and regulatory transparency.
Panama Canal Completes Fiscal Year 2025 with Strong Recovery
The Panama Canal Authority posted impressive operational and financial results for fiscal year 2025, which ended September 30th 2025. The canal processed 13,404 transits during FY2025 - representing an impressive 19.3% increase from 11,240 recorded during fiscal year 2024 during a time when drought conditions severely curtailed operations.
Recovery marks an impressive rebound from 2023's historic drought crisis, when the Panama Canal experienced its lowest water availability for 100 years and forced its Authority to implement draft restrictions and limit daily transits; 200 vessels queued awaiting passage during its height. FY2025 performance showcases both resilience of the canal and effectiveness of mitigation measures implemented by its Authority.
Cruise Season 2025-2026 kicks off with Queen Elizabeth Transit
The 2025-2026 cruise season officially kicked off when Queen Elizabeth completed its northbound transit of the Panama Canal, marking its traditional launch and signaling renewed confidence in its operational stability and capacity to accommodate various vessel types during winter cruise season.