The Panama Canal has initiated a consultation process with maritime industry representatives to explore potential partnerships for developing port terminals on both the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the waterway. This effort mirrors the approach taken for the gas pipeline project, bringing together companies with established expertise in container port operations and shipping lines. The meeting was exclusive, adhering to institutional guidelines, and included representatives from major firms such as APM Terminals, DP World, and Maersk Line, among others.
As part of this initiative, a comprehensive market and feasibility study will be conducted for the proposed terminals. Following this analysis, a general project plan will be created, leading to a special process for selecting a concessionaire. This selection will involve a prequalification phase, interactive discussions with prequalified candidates, and ultimately, the final choice of concessionaire, expected to conclude in the fourth quarter of 2026. The process is designed to be transparent and competitive, inviting participation from leading global companies.
The Panama Canal’s strategic vision for 2025–2035 prioritizes container terminals as crucial elements of its infrastructure, second only to locks and navigation channels. The projected investment of $2.6 million for both terminals is anticipated to impact Panama’s GDP positively, generating approximately 8,100 jobs during construction and around 9,000 jobs once operational. The overarching goal is to boost container transshipment capacity by 5 million TEUs annually, enhancing Panama’s status as a competitive intermodal hub and expanding port capacity in an area nearing its operational limits.
