The Panama Canal has initiated a consultation process with key maritime industry stakeholders to identify potential partners for the development of new port terminals on both the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the waterway.
Following an approach similar to that used for the Canal’s gas pipeline project, the Panama Canal Authority convened an exclusive working session—by invitation only—with representatives from companies with proven expertise in container terminal operations and container shipping.
Participants included representatives from APM Terminals, Cosco Shipping Ports, CMA Terminals–CMA, DP World, Hanseatic Global Terminals, MOL, PSA International, SSA Marine–Grupo Carrix, and Terminal Investment Limited, as well as executives from CMA CGM, ONE, Evergreen, Hapag-Lloyd, HMM, Maersk Line, MSC, OOCL, COSCO, Yang Ming, the Port of Houston, and ZIM.
As part of this business process, a market and feasibility study will be conducted for both proposed terminals. Based on the findings, a comprehensive project plan will be developed, leading to the launch of a special process to select a concessionaire.
The selection process will include a prequalification stage, followed by an interaction and dialogue phase with prequalified participants, and ultimately the awarding of the concession. The final phase is expected to conclude in the fourth quarter of 2026. The Panama Canal Authority has emphasized that the process will be transparent and competitive, with strong interest anticipated from leading global operators.
Within the Canal’s 2025–2035 strategic vision, container terminals are considered among the most critical components of its support infrastructure, second only to the locks and navigation channels. Their development will expand port capacity and help preserve the competitiveness of the Panama route.
The total investment for both terminals is estimated at B/.2.6 million (approximately $2.6 million), with a projected economic impact equivalent to between 0.4% and 0.8% of Panama’s GDP. The projects are expected to generate around 8,100 jobs during the construction phase and approximately 9,000 jobs once operations commence, including direct, indirect, and induced employment.
These initiatives aim to increase container transshipment capacity by 5 million TEUs per year, reinforce Panama’s position as one of the world’s most competitive intermodal hubs, and expand port capacity in the interoceanic corridor, which is currently nearing its operational limit.
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