The Panama Canal Authority expects to generate $5.56 billion in revenue and contribute $3.61 billion directly to the national treasury for fiscal year 2027, according to a budget proposal presented to the Cabinet on Tuesday.
The waterway projects 10,750 high-draft vessel transits for the period starting October, even as it prepares for challenging water conditions and the potential for a strong El Niño phenomenon.
Direct treasury contributions would rise $414 million from the $3.19 billion approved for fiscal year 2026.
Combined with other state payments — including income tax, social security and educational insurance — total transfers to the state would reach $3.94 billion. Between October 2025 and July 2026, the canal recorded 10,623 high-draft vessel transits.
Toll structure remains unchanged for fiscal year 2027, with no modifications to existing customer tariffs, though the per-net-ton fee rises from $1.00 to $1.75 per CP/SUAB ton.
New investment spending totals $341.3 million, covering capital projects, contingency provisions and strategic project development.
The Rio Indio lake project, a water-management initiative, has $82 million in planned spending, with initial resettlements and construction design tenders set to begin during the fiscal year.
The proposal goes next to Panama's National Assembly for consideration.
(Reporting by Kylie Madry and Natalia Siniawski)
