The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) says preventive maintenance remains essential to keeping the waterway safe, reliable and efficient. The authority follows a long-term maintenance programme. It focuses on preserving, modernising and extending the life of critical infrastructure. The goal is to prevent failures before they occur. The programme covers the canal’s locks, gates, valves, hydraulic systems, electrical equipment, navigation channels, dams, tugboats and support facilities. The ACP says regular maintenance reduces operational risks and ensures uninterrupted service. The locks remain the main priority. Maintenance includes dry-chamber work, gate overhauls, valve rehabilitation, corrosion protection and the replacement of structural and electromechanical components. Continuous inspections help identify issues before they affect operations. A recent project took place at the Pedro Miguel Locks in May. The ACP spent more than six months planning the work. Around 300 workers completed the dry-chamber maintenance in just five days while vessel transits continued through the remaining lane. The maintenance programme also includes dredging, sediment control, electrical system inspections, and the upkeep of dams, spillways, tugboats and other support equipment. The ACP is also using maintenance projects to prepare for future shipping requirements. One ongoing project involves replacing floating fenders at the Neopanamax Locks. The work will help assess whether the canal can safely accommodate vessels with a beam of up to 53 metres, compared with the current limit of 51.25 metres. The authority said continuous investment has already expanded the canal’s capabilities. Since the Neopanamax locks opened, the waterway has grown from handling container ships of around 12,000 TEUs to vessels carrying more than 17,000 TEUs. Ilya Espino de Marotta, Deputy Administrator of the Panama Canal, said the ACP will continue investing in innovation to ensure the canal meets