In brief
Captain Efrain Hallax, a pioneering pilot at the Panama Canal, reflects on his extensive career and the canal’s significance amidst shifting political landscapes.
For over 40 years, Captain Efrain Hallax has dedicated his life to navigating the intricacies of the Panama Canal. One of the first Panamanian pilots hired in 1983, he took on the responsibility of guiding vessels through this crucial trade route, which has been essential for global maritime commerce since its opening in 1914. Now 73, Captain Hallax remembers the canal as a constant, unaffected by the alterations in the political arena. Notably, one evening in February, he reported for work soon after President Trump had abruptly canceled a call with Panama's President José Raúl Mulino regarding the canal's future — a potential return to American control that would affect local pilots such as Hallax. Despite the high-stakes political tension, Hallax remains focused on his duties. “Business as usual,” he states confidently, underlining the unwavering operation of the canal, which facilitates around 3 percent of the world's maritime trade. The sheer endurance of it all, he asserts, transcends the hurdles presented by politics, weather, or seasons. Among the 316 authorized ship pilots, Hallax stands out, having witnessed the rise of his nation’s control over the canal. He expresses pride in contributing to a local workforce that has taken the helm, ensuring that the canal continues to be a hub of maritime activity—a lifeline connecting the Pacific to the Caribbean, regardless of who's in power in the U.S.
