Photos by Joseph H. Krause

The Panama Canal Commission, a U.S. Government agency, will operate the Canal during the 20-year transition period that began with Panama Canal Treaty implementation on October 1, 1979. The Commission is supervised by a nine-member bi-national board. For the first 10 years, a U.S. citizen served as Chief Executive Officer, under the title of Administrator, and a Panamanian was the Deputy. Effective January 1, 1990, as mandated by the treaty, a Panamanian serves as Administrator and a U.S. citizen is the Deputy.
 

 
The Commission replaced the former Panama Canal Company, which, together with the Canal Zone and its government, was disestablished on October 1, 1979. On December 31, 1999, as required by treaty, the United States will transfer the Canal to Panama.

The Commission remains committed to serving world trade with the standards of excellence that have been the tradition of the waterway throughout its history. With prudent investment in maintenance, modernization, and training programs, the Canal will remain a viable, economic transportation artery for world trade well into the future.