Panama mourns first national Canal Administrator Gilberto Guardia

Gilberto Guardia was a key figure in the modernisation and development of the waterway and leaves a unique legacy in the history of the country and the administration of the Canal.

Gilberto Guardia graduated in Civil Engineering from the US’ University of Santa Clara (California) in 1950, and in his early years, he worked as an engineer in the Ministry of Public Works and the Panama Canal Company. His influence transcended the business sphere, being a member of various boards of directors, both national and international.

On September 20, 1990, Engineer Guardia was appointed Administrator of the Panama Canal Commission, becoming the first Panamanian to hold this position. During his management, which lasted until August 17, 1996, Guardia led a series of innovations and improvements that strengthened the Canal’s operability and capacity.

Among the most notable achievements of his administration are the expansion of the Pacific entrance and the Gaillard cut, which allowed greater efficiency in the transit of ships. Also, it promoted the installation of a ship handling simulator for the training of Canal pilots, and the implementation of the Panama Canal Universal Tonnage System (CP/UMS), a significant advance in measuring the tonnage of vessels.

Under his leadership, the Panama Canal also experienced a historic increase in tolls, the sixth in the history of the interoceanic waterway, in 1992. These improvements not only optimised operations but laid the foundation for the Canal’s successful transition to Panamanian hands.

The memory of his outstanding patriotic professionalism is part of the daily operations of the Panama Canal with the operation of the tugboat Gilberto Guardia, named in his honour at the end of the 90s.

His life and work “will be recorded in national history as an example of leadership and dedication”.