From a statement issued by the Maritime Chamber of Panama:

Panama, April 1, 2016. - The Maritime Chamber of Panama and unionized shipping lines in the CMP has called for a reconsideration on the part of the Panamanian Authority for Food Safety (AUPSA) over what they consider an unfortunate measure made by this entity.

In the Gaceta Oficial 27993-A published on March 18, 2016, the AUPSA made public ​​a new set of tariffs on the services provided.

According to the announcement by the Maritime Chamber this represents a sudden increase of up to 48% on the costs for the transshipment route for Panamanian food products from 1 April 2016.

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New El Salvador - Asia Maritime Route

December 2017

The company Oceánica Internacional has started operating a new maritime cargo service that will connect the port of Hong Kong with El Salvador without the need for transshipments.

The goal of the new route is to expand the options for transporting maritime cargo between the region and Asia, benefiting in particular Central American companies that import goods from China.

Road Freight in Panama

August 2016

In order to get the most leverage from the Canal as sea and air hub optimization of Panamanian land cargo transportation is needed.

From a statement issued by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP):

The Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP), through its Committee on Logistics and in order to promote the country as a regional transit hub, recently presented to the National Assembly some modifications to the Bill on Land Cargo Transportation, with a view to promoting the logistics sector and creating a more agile and efficient business relationship with Central American nations.

Rise in Tariffs on Transshipment Containers

May 2016

I Panama companies warn that container traffic will drop if the implementation of the new tariffs for food import inspections are not stopped.

The Business Council Logistics (Coel) is concerned that if the new tariffs do come into force of on July 3, "... the window will open for other state institutions to suggest similar increases, putting at risk the second most important sector of the Panamanian economy after the Panama Canal. "

Maersk and the Expanded Canal

April 2016

The shipping company has drawn attention to the impact that the Canal expansion will have on its operations noting that there are still only a few ports that can receive Post Panamax vessels.

The two routes that the Danish shipping company Maersk Line ceased to operate in 2013 were of great importance for Latin America, whose operations account for 10% of the company's total sales worldwide.