Panama City | January 13, 2026 – Monjasa, one of the world’s leading global suppliers of marine fuels, and the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) have entered into a landmark five-year Cooperation Agreement, underscoring the growing alignment between global maritime trade and sustainable development. The partnership aims to strengthen environmental stewardship, social development, and community engagement within the Panama Canal Watershed and beyond.
The agreement, formally signed by Ilya Espino de Marotta, Deputy Administrator of the Panama Canal Authority, and Rasmus Jacobsen, Managing Director of Monjasa Americas, establishes a strategic framework for jointly developing and implementing initiatives that directly benefit communities in the Panama Canal Watershed (CHCP), a region critical not only to the canal’s operations, but also to Panama’s long-term water security and environmental resilience.
Table of Contents
A Holistic Sustainability Agenda
At its core, the partnership integrates the three fundamental pillars of sustainability, environmental, social, and governance (ESG), into a single, coordinated agenda. The agreement outlines targeted projects spanning environmental protection, comprehensive well-being, education, cultural initiatives, and community development, all aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
While the primary focus is on communities within the CHCP, the scope of the collaboration also extends to other regions across the country, reinforcing the Panama Canal’s broader national role as a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable development.
Crucially for the maritime sector, the agreement explicitly incorporates decarbonization and emissions-reduction actions, aligned with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) climate objectives. This positions the partnership at the intersection of operational sustainability and the global maritime energy transition, an area of growing importance for both canal authorities and fuel suppliers navigating tightening environmental regulations.
From Policy to Practice
Beyond high-level commitments, the cooperation agreement emphasizes practical execution. Joint projects will be designed, developed, and delivered in accordance with the strategies, technical capacities, and governance standards of each organization, while remaining fully compliant with their respective legal and regulatory frameworks.
The collaboration also includes volunteer programs, community engagement initiatives, and the integration of sustainable business practices, reinforcing the idea that sustainability is not solely an environmental challenge, but a shared social responsibility.
A Multidimensional ESG Strategy
At the core of the agreement is a robust Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy that bridges global shipping operations with local community resilience. Key focus areas include:
- Watershed Protection: Targeted environmental conservation and restoration projects within the CHCP aimed at safeguarding freshwater resources that are essential not only to Panama Canal operations, but also to the well-being of the Panamanian population.
- Decarbonization & Emissions Reduction: Coordinated actions to reduce the maritime carbon footprint, supporting the Panama Canal Authority’s ambition to achieve Net-Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, while aligning with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) evolving climate regulations and emissions-reduction targets.
- Community Development & Education: Social well-being programs centered on education, culture, and professional development for communities located within the interoceanic region, reinforcing inclusive growth alongside maritime commerce.
- Volunteer Engagement: The integration of Monjasa’s local workforce into the Panama Canal’s established corporate volunteer networks, fostering shared value, employee engagement, and deeper community connections.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, a representative of the Panama Canal Authority highlighted the long-term vision behind the agreement:
“This agreement reaffirms our commitment to working with strategic partners to promote sustainable actions that endure over time and contribute to a more responsible future.”
Strengthening Maritime Value Beyond the Canal
For Monjasa, the partnership reflects a growing recognition that fuel suppliers play a critical role beyond the supply chain, particularly in regions that underpin global trade flows.
“Monjasa fuels global maritime trade and it is a privilege to further deepen our relationship with the Panama Canal Authority on this important agenda,” said Rasmus Jacobsen, Managing Director of Monjasa Americas. “Our local presence must also benefit the communities and the environment around the Panama Canal.”
As the Panama Canal continues to modernize its operations while navigating climate pressures, water constraints, and decarbonization imperatives, collaborations such as this signal a shift toward shared-value models, where operational excellence, environmental responsibility, and community resilience advance together.
A Signal to the Global Maritime Industry
The ACP–Monjasa agreement sends a clear message to the global maritime and bunkering sectors: sustainability is no longer peripheral to core operations. Instead, it is becoming a defining factor in how key maritime hubs and fuel suppliers position themselves for the future.
With the Panama Canal at the heart of global shipping and Monjasa deeply embedded in international marine fuel markets, this partnership stands as a notable example of how public authorities and private industry can collaborate to deliver tangible, long-term impact, both for maritime trade and for the communities that sustain it.
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP)
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is the autonomous legal entity of the Republic of Panama responsible for the operation, administration, and modernization of the Panama Canal. Since assuming full control from the United States on December 31, 1999, the ACP has transformed the 80-kilometer waterway into a global leader in maritime efficiency and environmental stewardship.
Tasked with managing the world’s most strategic shortcut, the ACP oversees a complex ecosystem of locks, watersheds, and logistics services that facilitate roughly 5% of global maritime trade. Under its “Green Route” vision, the Authority is currently spearheading the industry’s transition toward net-zero emissions by 2050.
Monjasa in Brief
Founded in Denmark in 2002, Monjasa has emerged as one of the world’s top 10 marine fuels suppliers, recognized for its commitment to quality and innovation. In 2024 the company reported USD 4.5 billion in revenue, supplying 6.8 million tonnes of marine fuels across 784+ ports worldwide.
Operating across all major time zones, with regional hubs in Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East & Africa—Monjasa leverages a fleet of 35+ tankers and barges to deliver fuel in key global shipping hotspots and hard-to-reach markets, including Singapore, West Africa, Panama, the USA, Northwest Europe, and the Middle East.
Monjasa’s dedication to quality and compliance is underscored by its ISO certifications (9001, 14001, 45001, 50001), and all fuel products meet the latest ISO 8217 specifications, ensuring reliable, high-standard bunker fuel for vessels around the globe.
Source: Monjasa | ACP