During the 122nd Ordinary Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Central American Maritime Transport Commission (COCATRAM), held recently, Panama was officially appointed to hold the Pro Tempore Presidency of the organization for the period 2025-2026.
In the presence of Mr. José Fernando Suriano, Guatemala’s Viceminister of Transport, Volney Guinard Estripeaut, Secretary General of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), was sworn in as President Pro Tempore and assumed the commitment to lead the regional agenda on maritime transport.
During his term, Panama says it will promote strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening Central American maritime trade, notably the development and inauguration of the multipurpose dock at Puerto Armuelles, scheduled for 2026, which is projected to be a key logistics hub for the region. “We must take advantage of this opportunity to publicize the advantages that this port will offer in the region and promote its use as part of Central American routes,” said AMP Secretary General Volney Guinard.
As part of the formal ceremony, the Oversight Commission was also sworn in, with El Salvador assuming the presidency, represented by CN DEMN Omar Hernández, Commander-in-Chief of the El Salvador Navy. This highly important body within the COCATRAM structure has the main function of supervising the activities of the organization, ensuring compliance with its Constitutive Resolution, internal regulations, and Board agreements.
