Panama: Container Movement Up 12%

Between January and November 2017, Panamanian ports handled 6.3 million containers, 12% more than the same period in 2016.

Thursday, January 4, 2018

According to figures from the Panama Maritime Authority, the highest growth in container movement was registered at the Cristóbal port terminal, increasing from 698 thousand TEUs from January to November 2016 to 1.2 million TEUs in the same period of time in 2017, which is equivalent to a 75% increase.

Colón Container Terminal is the second port with the highest growth in the period in question, rising from 574 thousand TEUs to 640 thousand TEUs. 

The only terminal that recorded a fall is Panama International Terminal, which went  from 146 thousand TEUs to 76 thousand TEUs. This represented a 48% decrease in the amount of cargo moved.

See statistics (in Spanish).

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Less Traffic in Central American Ports

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Within a trend of overall decline in port activity, Central American countries are recording negative growth.

From a statement by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)

Decreases in port activity in the region because of low export growth

The lack of dynamism of exports from the region and the prospects for slower growth in the global economy since late 2012, have intensified the slowdown of the ports in the first half of 2013, according to figures from the ECLAC released today.

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