Professionals of Petroterminal de Panamá, S.A. were part of the technical and multisectoral team chosen by the Global Tsunami Risk Preparedness Program promoted by UNESCO called “Tsunami Ready”. This participation began in 2018 resulting in the first Tsunami Risk Map in Puerto Armuelles, this area being a junction point between the Cocos, Nazca and Caribbean tectonic plates.

For the continuity of this program, it is contemplated to replicate this model at a national level in all areas susceptible to tsunamis such as Bocas del Toro, Darien and the San Blas Archipelago. During the development of the map, Julio Villareal, Engineering Manager, and David Bonilla, Administrative Supervisor-Pacific Terminal, participated on behalf of PTP, together with a national team of experts from different governmental institutions such as the Panama Maritime Authority, the Tommy Guardia National Geographic Institute, and the Geosciences Institute of the University of Panama, among others.

The result of this work has served as the main input for institutions such as SINAPROC and MEDUCA to implement preventive actions for the most vulnerable population in the event of a tsunami.  

Due to this work, in December 2021, Julio Villarreal was invited on behalf of Panama as an observer to the 31st Assembly of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, a virtual event presented in the framework of the beginning of the Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development 2021 – 2030.

“It is a pride for the entire PTP team to participate with our expertise in these initiatives supporting international organizations for the benefit of the entire region and that the model, product of this teamwork, can be replicated in other parts of the country,” said Julio Villareal, Engineering Manager.

Through these experiences, technical capacities are developed in the organization’s staff to ensure the proper functioning of the ocean in favor of the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, generating scientific knowledge, technical infrastructure and high-impact partnerships for the country.