Nineteen companies participated in the meeting with the Maritime Authority of Panama to learn the details of the tender in BOT mode for a port concession worth more than $50 million.
The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) has selected the company Nathan Associates to develop, within three months, a business model to develop the port.
The project will include analysis and identification of the potential to attract investors to the market.
According to Prensa.com, "... this development plan ... seeks to identify viable options for creating business opportunities and alternatives for intermodal transport and logistics systems ...
The expansion of the port of Armuelles, expanding the capacity of the port of Vacamonte and studies to improve the capacity of agricultural bulk cargo in Aguadulce are part of the projects expected to be granted in concessions in Panama.
The Canal expansion has forced the upgrading and expansion of the capacity of the country's ports, for which reason the Maritime Port Authority (AMP) is studying the feasibility of improvements in some of the terminals and others have already started tender processes, such as the case of the port of Aguadulce, where "... a best value tender will be held for the existing facilities and verification of the capacity for its expansion so that it can accommodate a component for agricultural bulk cargo."
Pointing to overruns the Varela administration has annulled a $22 million contract for support to the system for mobile equipment and back office staff at the Maritime Authority of Panama.
From a statement issued by presidency of Panama:
The Cabinet Council has approved a resolution which issued a favorable opinion to the unilateral termination of the contract for monthly support services to the Pele Marine system for mobile devices and back office administrative staff at the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP).
A bill aims to take advantage of the business of flagging large vessels in order to provide financing options locally.
The initiative aims to capitalize on two elements: being the leading country worldwide for flagging ships and having an international financial center with capacity to finance works and large projects.
Jose Isabel Quintero, deputy director of the Public Registry of Ships Liens and Title of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), told Prensa.com that "... Before introducing the bill in the National Assembly a consultation process will be undertaken with banks, insurers, reinsurers and clubs for ship owners .... 'The Panamanian government should now enter a phase of maturity which entails benefiting from the strategic resources'. "
Technical studies are to be carried out to determine the feasibility of building an intermodal 'dry canal' between Puerto Armuelles, in the Pacific, and a complementary port in Bocas del Toro, in the Atlantic.
The Panama Maritime Authority has announced that it will be focusing first on the study to determine the most feasible business model for the project.
The Maritime Port Authority is planning to build two docks for the auxiliary maritime services industry, one in the province of Colon and another in that of Panama.
Taking an old aspiration of the auxiliary maritime services sector, plans are underway for construction of docks on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. This project had been previously discussed, but the areas chosed for its construction were not available at that time.
Panama's National Assembly has passed a law which removes the restrictions imposed in 2013 on granting operating licenses to foreign companies for the provision of ancillary maritime services.
From a statement issued by the National Assembly of Panama:
The full Legislature approved on its third reading an initiative which fosters and promotes the auxiliary maritime industry, which is considered a pillar of development because of its contribution of 20% of gross domestic product and source of employment.
The National Assembly has approved a 20 year concession contract signed with PSA Panama International, to build and operate a container terminal with an investment of $350 million.
From a statement issued by the National Assembly of Panama:
Approval was given on the third reading to Bill 122, which approves a contract between the state and the company PSA Panama International Terminal, SA, for the handling and transporting of containers.
A resolution of the Maritime Authority of Panama forces maritime concessionaires to devote to social projects a percentage of the investment amount stated in the contract.
The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) has adopted a resolution whereby companies who sign contracts for maritime concessions are obliged to pay a "... fee which the concessionaire must provide by way of supporting social projects of the AMP in the concession contracts .... "
In 2014 the port system showed better results than in 2013, with the mobilization of 90,000 TEUs, with the Port of Balboa recording the largest increase, of 5.6%.
The five ports that make up the Panamanian port system moved about 6.7 million TEUs at the end of 2014, an increase of 2.9% compared to 2013, when 6.5 million TEUs were mobilized. On average, during 2014, 500 thousand containers of 20 feet were moved per month.
The Maritime Authority has implemented an electronic system that streamlines the process of flag registration and automates the application of economic incentives for newly registered boats.
This new way of applying economic incentives for newly constructed ships simplifies the process and eliminates "... the submission of a formal discount via memorial (before flag registration), the manual calculation of the amounts payable by ship which was done by the Directorate and sets out equal application of these incentives. "
From January 2015 companies that inspect and certify foreign ships under the Panamanian flag must be audited by the Maritime Authority so that the quality of services provided can be assessed.
From the resolution given by the Board of the Maritime Authority of Panama:
First article: order execution of an AUDIT PLAN for all auxiliary entities which are Recognized Organizations, Classification Societies and Recognized Security Organizations approved by the Republic of Panama, for the purpose of determining management, competition, means, capacity and quality of services, which will start from 2015, under the parameters of Resolution MSC.349 (92) adopted on July 21, 2013, Resolution No. 106-11-DGMM of March 16, 2009. ... And the international conventions ratified by the Republic of Panama.
The Panama Maritime Authority has authorized that from now on recording of original ship mortgages will be done in English, without the need to submit translations into Spanish.
From a statement issued by the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP):
The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) has hit a new milestone for the Panamanian Merchant Marine, having registered the first ship mortgage in the English language.
From November 24th to 27th representatives from the industry in Central America and other regions will be gathering together in Panama City to discuss issues related to maritime safety and port development.
From a statement issued by the Network for Protection of Ships and Port Facilities:
The PBIP Network Mexico-International and the Panama Maritime Chamber, together with the Maritime Authority, Panama Canal Authority and the International Maritime University of Panama; have presented the 'VIII International Forum on Maritime Safety and Port Security', which will be held in Panama City from 24 to 27 November 2014.