The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has initiated a consultation process with major international stakeholders from the maritime and port sectors to identify potential partners for the development of new container terminals on both the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the waterway.
Participants included leading companies with extensive container terminal and shipping experience, such as APM Terminals, DP World, PSA International, Cosco Shipping Ports, CMA Terminals, Terminal Investment Limited, SSA Marine–Grupo Carrix, Hanseatic Global Terminals, MOL, as well as top shipping lines: MSC, Maersk Line, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, ONE, Evergreen, HMM, OOCL, Yang Ming, and the Port of Houston.
The consultation will involve market analysis and technical-economic feasibility studies for both terminals, followed by a transparent concession selection process consisting of pre-qualification, stakeholder interaction, and final bidding. The concession award is expected by Q4 2026.
📈 Economic Impact & Strategic Importance
Container terminals represent a crucial component of the Panama Canal Strategic Plan 2025–2035:
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$2.6 billion in infrastructure investment
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+5 million TEU annually in transshipment capacity
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8,100 jobs during construction phase
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9,000 jobs once operational
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Contribution of 0.4%–0.8% of Panama’s GDP
The goal is to enhance Panama’s position as one of the world’s most competitive intermodal logistics hubs — at a time when current port capacity is nearing its limits.
🌍 Geopolitical Background
The initiative comes amid growing U.S.–China tensions:
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U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened U.S. control over the Canal, citing China’s influence.
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Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison has agreed to sell two Panamanian ports in a $22.8B deal with BlackRock and MSC, currently delayed amid Chinese opposition.
🛢 Supporting Pipeline Infrastructure
The terminals will integrate with a 76-km energy pipeline designed to transport propane, butane, and ethane between the Gulf of Mexico and Northeast Asia:
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2.5 million barrels per day capacity
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Frees Canal transit slots without additional water consumption
This is critical following El Niño 2023–2024, which forced significant transit restrictions due to low water levels. Current rainfall has allowed the Canal to restore a 50-foot (15 m) draft through 2025.
💰 Revenue Outlook
Canal revenue has increased due to faster U.S. imports ahead of tariff changes. However, ACP expects a slowdown soon:
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Forecast income for next year: $4.4B, slightly below current projections of ~$5B
🎯 Conclusion
The Panama Canal is moving forward with a major modernization and expansion initiative, opening the door to top global operators. By boosting capacity, strengthening energy logistics, and expanding port infrastructure, Panama aims to secure its key role in global trade for decades ahead.
