Panama's ports handled 4.91 million TEU in H1 2026, marking a 1.8% increase amid management transitions at key terminals.
Panama's ports handled 4.91 million TEU in the first half of 2026, up 1.8 per cent from 4.82 million a year earlier, reports UK's Seatrade Maritime News citing Panama Maritime Authority figures.
The increase came during the transition of Balboa and Cristobal terminals, which were managed by CK Hutchison until concessions were cancelled in January. The Panama Maritime Authority briefly administered the ports before APM Terminals took over Balboa and TiL assumed control of Cristobal in February.
Most terminals posted growth in the first six months. SSA Marine MIT in Colon led with 1.61 million TEU, up 23.1 per cent year on year. Evergreen's Colon Container Terminal followed with 981,246 TEU, a 19.8 per cent rise, while PSA Panama International Terminal reached 742,238 TEU, up 5.4 per cent.
These gains offset declines at Balboa and Cristobal. Balboa handled 1.14 million TEU, down 11.9 per cent, while Cristobal recorded 409,685 TEU, a 34.9 per cent fall, the steepest drop among Panama's container terminals.