Mulheres a Bordo: pioneering operation at the Panama Canal observed

Members of the Grupo Tribuna delegation closely observed a vessel transiting the Panama Canal (Luciana Moledas/TV Tribuna)

The first technical visit of the Mulheres a Bordo International Mission, promoted by Grupo Tribuna , brought participants face to face with one of the world's most important engineering projects. On Tuesday (18), the group visited the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal, where they closely observed a vessel transit and the operation of the system that, for more than a century, has enabled a connection between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

The experience provided the professionals with a practical view of an operation that combines engineering, logistics and water resource management. At the locks, control of the water level allows vessels to be raised or lowered to the required elevation so that they can proceed along the waterway. Water enters and leaves the chambers through channels and valves, in a process that uses the force of gravity and makes water resource management one of the fundamental elements of the canal's operation.

For Michelli Barreto, Human Resources Coordinator at Ecoporto and a member of the delegation, seeing the structure firsthand also made it possible to establish a connection between the experience in Panama and the reality of the Port of Santos. “Being part of the Mulheres a Bordo project is a privilege. It is a privilege to see all this logistics and how it also impacts our logistics at the Port of Santos.”

A leading global route

With a length of 82 kilometers, the Panama Canal is one of the world's main maritime trade routes and plays a strategic role in connecting markets by reducing distances, travel time and costs for vessels. Transit through the canal takes approximately 10 hours. Using other routes, the journey can take up to 20 days, with operating costs up to ten times higher.

Oquerlina Costa, president of the Porto do Itaqui (MA), highlighted the opportunity to closely observe a vessel transit operation at the canal. “It is an incredible experience, especially when we are given exclusive access to observe a vessel transit operation. This has been very enriching. I am certain that we will take very positive experiences from here.”

For Oquerlina, the international mission also expands knowledge sharing among professionals from different fields and Brazilian ports. Taking part in the program provides an opportunity to share experiences, learn about other realities and discuss practices that can contribute to the participants' professional routines.

Different perspectives

Fernanda Machado, Integrated Management System (IMS) Coordinator at Eldorado Brasil Celulose, emphasized that one of the mission's strengths lies in the possibility of professionals from different backgrounds and areas of activity observing the same operation from different perspectives.

“Each one of us has a different lens through which to view this visit. Within her area of activity in the sector, each participant is trying to observe and contribute to her respective field. The greatest value of this mission is having this diversity of women understanding the same operation while taking away different forms of knowledge.”

They had the opportunity to learn about details of the operation, which is a global benchmark (Luciana Moledas/TV Tribuna)

Program reinforces women's presence in the sector

In addition to the technical knowledge provided by the visit to the Panama Canal, the program reinforced one of the purposes of the Mulheres a Bordo International Mission: promoting connections and the exchange of experiences, as well as strengthening women's presence in the maritime and port sectors.

For Michelli Barreto, the experience took on an even more personal meaning because it took place as part of a project that brings together technical knowledge, diversity and female representation.

“It means living a dream. I came from a situation of social and economic vulnerability, and in order to study, I sold water on the beach and collected cans. Being here in Panama, in a diversity project where I can represent women and represent the community I come from, is much more than a dream. It is about inspiring people and women to get where they want to go.”

Fernanda Machado also highlighted the initiative's potential to open doors and inspire other women to enter the sector and advance professionally.

“Just as other women opened these paths for so many women who are here today, may we also be these inspiring women for so many others who will join us here”, she said.