Panama must avoid the formation of monopolies and oligopolies in port management and the broader maritime sector, according to Ricardo Lince, president of the newly created National Maritime Association of Panama (MAPA). He warned that excessive concentration in terminal ownership could limit market access for new shipping lines and logistics players, ultimately affecting competition and the long-term development of the country’s maritime industry.
Lince made the remarks during the swearing-in ceremony of MAPA, a new industry group that brings together shipping lines, maritime transport and logistics operators, and port terminals. He explained that the association is intended to complement the work of the Panama Chamber of Shipping, which represents a broader range of sectors, while many MAPA members also belong to that chamber.
He pointed to the global trend of shipping lines acquiring port terminals as part of vertically integrated logistics strategies and raised concerns about how this could affect Panama if competing carriers are expected to use terminals controlled by rival operators. In his view, Panama needs clear, transparent rules that allow new market participants to enter whenever demand justifies it, helping preserve fair competition in a sector that is vital to national trade and connectivity.
The warning comes amid reports that BlackRock, together with MSC subsidiary Terminal Investment Limited (TiL), has been negotiating the purchase of the Balboa and Cristóbal ports, which are currently managed by CK Hutchison. Against that backdrop, Lince argued that the Panamanian state must play an active role in preventing market distortions and ensuring a level playing field for all participants.
According to Lince, Panama needs long-term maritime policies and stronger public-private coordination to reinforce its position as a leading maritime nation. He stressed that stability, legal certainty, and genuine competition are essential to attracting investment and maintaining confidence in the country’s port and logistics system.
