The Panama Canal has begun a consultation process with maritime industry representatives to identify potential partners for developing new port terminals on both the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the waterway.
The canal authority invited companies with experience in container port operations and shipping, including APM Terminals, Cosco Shipping Ports, CMA Terminals–CMA, DP World, Hanseatic Global Terminals, MOL, PSA International, SSA Marine–Grupo Carrix, and Terminal Investment Limited. Container shipping lines such as CMA CGM, ONE, Evergreen, Hapag Lloyd, HMM, Maersk Line, MSC, OOCL, COSCO, Yang Ming, the Port of Houston, and ZIM also participated.
© Panama Canal Authority
A market and feasibility study will now be conducted for both terminals, followed by a general project plan leading to the initiation of a selection process for a concessionaire. This process will include prequalification, interaction with participants, and final selection. The concessionaire appointment is expected to conclude by the fourth quarter of 2026.
The canal authority stated that the process will be transparent and competitive, with expected participation from leading global companies.
Under the Panama Canal's 2025–2035 strategic vision, the container terminals will serve as key components of supporting infrastructure, second only to the locks and navigation channels. The planned development aims to expand port capacity and maintain the competitiveness of the Panama route.
© Panama Canal Authority
An estimated US$2.6 million investment is projected for both terminals, expected to contribute between 0.4% and 0.8% to Panama's GDP. Around 8,100 jobs are anticipated during construction, and approximately 9,000 once operations begin, including direct and indirect employment.
The new infrastructure is expected to increase container transshipment capacity by 5 million TEUs per year and strengthen Panama's role as a central intermodal hub. The canal authority said the goal is to expand port capacity in the interoceanic area, which is currently nearing its operational limit, while maintaining transparency and adherence to institutional procedures.
For more information:
Panama Canal Authority
Email: [email protected]
www.pancanal.com
