Panama Canal Authority (ACP)
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP, Autoridad del Canal de Panamá) is the autonomous Panamanian government agency that has operated, maintained and managed the Panama Canal since Panama took full control in 1999 (following the handover from the United States). It runs canal operations and is responsible for the canal's capacity, scheduling (including the transit booking/auction system), tolls, water management, and major investments such as the 2016 expansion.
The ACP sets the toll structure — a significant cost in routing decisions — and manages transit slots and priorities, as well as the freshwater supply from the lakes that feed the locks (critical during droughts, when it imposes draft and transit restrictions). Its decisions on tolls, capacity and restrictions directly influence global shipping routing and cost. For carriers and shippers using the canal, the ACP is the authority whose rules, tolls and constraints must be understood and planned around. As steward of one of the world's most important waterways, the Panama Canal Authority is a key player in global maritime trade. It governs the vital Atlantic–Pacific crossing.
The ACP is the steward of one of the world's most important waterways — setting the tolls, managing transit slots and water, and imposing the draft restrictions that reroute ships in droughts. Its decisions on capacity, tolls and constraints directly move global shipping routing and cost, so carriers and shippers must plan around them.
What does the Panama Canal Authority do?
Operates and maintains the canal, sets tolls, manages transit scheduling and water supply, and directs major investments like the 2016 expansion.
When did Panama take control of the canal?
In 1999, when the ACP assumed full operation following the handover from the United States.