Panama Lifts Port Concession Restrictions as New Port Tenders Loom
Panama has lifted confidentiality restrictions covering port concessions, maritime services licences and regulatory investigations, increasing public access to information held by the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP).
The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) approved Resolution J.D. No. 073-2026 on September 1, repealing a measure that had restricted access to certain port infrastructure and maritime regulation documents for up to 10 years. The repeal was published in Panama’s Official Gazette on September 4.
AMP Repeals Confidentiality Resolution
The earlier Resolution J.D. No. 012-2026 covered administrative files related to port-area concessions, auxiliary maritime service licences and administrative investigations.
It also included technical, administrative and legal reports contained in those files.
The AMP said the restrictions were intended to protect state interests and confidential commercial and industrial information, including material linked to ongoing legal proceedings. The authority later concluded that the measure was not consistent with the objectives behind its adoption.
Mulino Criticized the Restrictions
The reversal followed criticism from President José Raúl Mulino, who called on the AMP to reconsider the decision.
The AMP then said its board would review the measure before confirming the repeal.
Existing legal protections for genuinely confidential commercial, industrial and restricted information remain in place.
Panama Reshapes Major Port Concessions
The decision comes as Panama prepares to reshape the operation of several major port facilities and maritime infrastructure assets.
In January, Panama’s Supreme Court declared unconstitutional the law approving the concession held by Panama Ports Company (PPC), a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings, for the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals.
The ruling also invalidated later amendments that had extended the concession. PPC has since initiated international arbitration proceedings against the Panamanian state.
Balboa and Cristóbal Under Temporary Operations
Temporary arrangements are now in place at the two terminals.
APM Terminals is operating Balboa, while Terminal Investment Limited (TiL), MSC’s port arm, is operating Cristóbal. The arrangements are expected to remain in place until July 2027 as Panama works toward longer-term concessions.
The government is also preparing tenders for Balboa, Cristóbal, Isla Margarita, Corozal and Telfers.
Why it Matters for Panama’s Port Sector
The repeal removes the blanket confidentiality restriction introduced earlier this year while keeping existing protections for genuinely sensitive commercial and industrial information.
For the shipping industry and port investment market, the move comes as Panama prepares new tenders and considers longer-term arrangements for several major port facilities.
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