Panama Canal: Its Past and Its Future

The Panama Canal, one of the busiest waterways in the world, is facing two historic events. This year is the Canal's diamond anniversary—its 75th year of service to international shipping. Later, on December 31, 1999, in accordance with the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977, the United States will relinquish control of the canal to the Republic of Panama. The Panama Canal, because of its farsighted design, innovative construction, and dedicated,maintenance and modernization programs, continues to provide quality transit service to international commerce. The writer discusses the many improvements that have been made to the Panama Canal, and the future challenges confronting it. The paper examines the preparations being made for the transfer of the Panama Canal to the Republic of Panama at the end of this century.