A lot of us at Tideworks Headquarters in Seattle wondered what it must have been like in Panama as the expanded Panama Canal recently opened and celebrated its inaugural container vessel transit. More specifically, what did that moment in history, June 26th, 2016, feel like to a Panamanian who has lived and worked alongside the canal his entire life? And so…we asked.
We’re honored to present a very special TW guest blogger, Casimiro Laguna II.
Casimiro is the Vessel Planning Manager at Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT) located at the Atlantic entrance of the Panama Canal on Manzanillo Bay, Colón Province, Panama.
Containerisation International named MIT one of the world’s ten most efficient ports, and the terminal has been recognized multiple times as the “Best Container Terminal in the Caribbean” by the Caribbean Shipping Association.
We’re proud of our history as MIT’s technology partner now and for generations to come.
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“I did not ask to be born in Panama… simply God blessed me”. A day like June 26, 2016, I did not wake as usual… I woke earlier and not just to go to work… I did it to see a dream of mine and others become real; to be able to feel that pride and share it with others… simply, its emotional value cannot be compared. It is invaluable.
Maybe on August 15, 1914, the ones that lived in that period felt something similar when they saw the steamboat Ancon by the Canal, but there is a big difference seeing it expanded to such an extent and proudly operated by Panamanians, including family and compatriots, proud like me to be part of our history, to be able to see today the vessel Cosco Shipping Panama transit by our “Bridge of the World”, defying gravity, the engineering and why not, the audacity of those that contributed their part, to present to the whole world this wonder… this is exceptional!
My Panama, my little piece of land and I are proudly dressed. There are new challenges, new territories to be conquered. We are filled with passion to exceed the expectations, to further bust world trade, and we present ourselves to the world to share our hospitality, our land, our expanded Canal, and we tell them: “Welcome all to my country… Panama!!!” “Bridge of the World… Heart of the Universe”. Thank God for this opportunity. Thanks to Panama. I feel proud of you, of your culture, of your customs, of your effort, of being Panamanian!!! Hurrah for my Canal… Hurrah for Panama!!!
Casimiro Laguna II.
