Panama Container Movement Edges Up 0.2%
The port system moved 3.1 million TEUs until April, in a scenario marked by the collapse of up to 41.6% in key terminals and the intense arbitration dispute between the Government and Panama Ports Company.
Container traffic in the Panamanian port system, measured in TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), registered a growth of 0.2% during the period from January to April 2026, after reaching a total of 3,177,984 units moved, according to data from the Panama Maritime Authority.
Analyzing these results, the AMP data shows that, although container traffic is showing growth, it is still ‘fragile’ when compared to the same period last year, when an increase of 2.5%, equivalent to 3,170,965 units, was reported.
Of the four months that have passed in 2026, January remains the month that registered the highest movement of containers in TEUs, accumulating a total of 865,677.
Of the total number of units moved in the system, the majority were concentrated at the Manzanillo International Terminal facilities with 1,076,005, followed in order of volume by the Port of Balboa with 719,633, Colón Container Terminal with 653,170, the Port of Cristóbal with 239,401 and, finally, Bocas Fruit Co. with 12,104.
When reviewing the specific performance indicators, it is evident that the ports of Balboa and Cristóbal have suffered significant declines in their performance, registering drops of -16.4% and -41.6%, respectively.
This situation occurs in a context where, currently, the Government maintains a legal dispute with Panama Ports Company (PPC) over the administration of both ports, following the declaration of unconstitutionality issued by the Supreme Court of Justice.
Currently, the operations of these terminals are managed as follows: the Port of Balboa, located on the Pacific coast, is now managed by APM Terminals, part of the Maersk Group; meanwhile, the Port of Cristóbal, located on the Atlantic coast, is now operated by TIL, part of the MSC Group. Given this situation, PPC has initiated international arbitration proceedings against both the Panamanian State and the Maersk Group, arguing that the actions taken by the Panamanian government reflect a breach of the rule of law and constitute unfavorable treatment of international investors.
