In a 30-hectare lot located five kilometers from the Container Terminal in Moin, Costa Rica, construction will begin in the first half of 2021, a logistics complex that will focus on the management of local or imported cargo.
The project, called "Plataforma Logística Caribe" (PLACA), will be placed near Route 32, the road section from Limón to San José.
The Walmart supermarket chain plans to expand and remodel its distribution center located in the municipality of Villa Nueva, department of Guatemala.
According to the interactive platform "Construction in Central America" of the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, Operadora de Tiendas S.A., submitted to the Ministry of Environment the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to develop the project called, "Distribution Center of Guatemala."
In the municipality of Villa Nueva, Nestlé began the construction of a new distribution center of 12 thousand square meters.
The construction of the new industrial park, which will have logistics services for import and export of finished products, storage, distribution of products to supermarket chains, wholesalers and retail, will be completed in August 2020.
Investment in more sophisticated equipment, preparing human capital for knowledge generation and coordinated decision making between government and business, are some of the areas that Panama has to work on in order to continue competing globally.
The country depends largely on the economic activities of the logistics sector, as it contributes about 33% of the Gross Domestic Product.
Because Colombian ports have a lower operating cost base than Panamanians, the South American country competes to appropriate the logistics business in the region.
Until a while ago, Panama led the logistics operations in the region, however, there are some signs that indicate that this situation could be changing, since the growth in the movement of maritime cargo in the country has reported a slowdown in recent years.
Investing in infrastructure that improves the connection between its main ports is one of the most determining factors for Panama to recover the competitiveness that is beginning to lose regionally and globally.
The Panama Maritime Chamber (CMP) presented its strategy "Maritime Vision Country 2019-2024", in which it analyzes that although the Canal was expanded and remains competitive at the port level in the region, the country needs to improve in terms of institutionality, human resources, infrastructure, processes and technology, to continue giving tools to the logistics sector to continue its development.
The Peruvian group Ransa built in the municipality of Amatitlán, Guatemala, a logistics center dedicated to the distribution of perishable products.
Company representatives detailed that the new industrial complex, which is located at kilometer 29.5 of the road to the Pacific, has a frozen and refrigerated area of 1,500 m2, which is equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
The Nestlé company invested $20 million in Panama in its new distribution center and $75 million in a purchasing hub.
According to representatives from Nestlé, the new distribution center is located in Parque Sur and the investment allowed them to increase their logistics capacity by 40%, and the shopping hub is located in Costa del Este. From there a group of buyers will acquire different categories of Nestlé products for all countries.
From October 18 to 20, logistics and foreign trade companies will be gathering together in Panama City to take part in conferences on issues related to the sector.
The event, which will take place at the ATLAPA Convention Center, will involve companies and consultants in logistics and foreign trade. Expo Logística Panama will be held in an exhibition area with 5,360m² of space, where about 150 local and foreign companies will be taking part in more than 250 modules with products and services geared towards the area of logistics and multimodal transport.
With a "roadmap" proposed for the next four years, the sector aims to improve conditions in the country as a logistics hub and compete better with other Latin American ports.
With the help of the CAF Development Bank, the sector of Panamanian logistics companies aims to develop a plan to improve the supply of services in the country and compete better with other logistics development poles that have improved their position in Latin America.One example is Colombia and its Cartagena and Buenaventura port terminals, explained Susana Pinilla, from the CAF.""... The boats when docked in those ports do transshipment, which has access to value-added processes; or they serve the need for supplies.There is a robust supply of bunker, among other conditions referenced in catalogs on global logistics services. "
On October 18 in San Salvador, logistics companies will be gathering together to discuss issues related to new models of distribution and logistics.
Among the topics to be discussed at the event organized by GS1 are Collaborative Logistics, technology as an enabler of value networks, Visibility in value networks, the challenges of the digital world, innovation, mobile technologies and networking, sustainability and Triple Baseline (Money - People - Planet), among other things.
As a gateway to 90 destinations in America and Europe, and soon Asia, Panama International Airport is venturing into the high value air cargo business.
The development of the logistics area at Tocumen International Airport will bring opportunities for infrastructure development in terms of roads, land leveling and construction and fitting of galleys and sheds.
In Panama the annual event that strengthens the country as a trading platform of excellence in logistics in the region has been inaugurated.
From a statement by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP):
CCIAP and SENACYT
Panama EXPO 2014 with high expectations for business in the region
Panama, 20 October 2014 Aiming to overcome the expectation of business contacts and visitors as well as the challenge of positioning Panama as the most important trading platform for logistics excellence in the regional market, over 250 exhibitors from eleven countries will be attending the eighth version of PANAMA EXPO 2014, to be held from 22 to 24 October.
If it wants to be at the top of the global logistic map, it is not enough to manage the Canal well, Panama must also realize its potential with a long-term strategy.
Capital.com.pa reports that "Despite having a privileged position and have seas on both sides, a growing canal for ships to pass through and the latest generation of ports, Panama still doesn’t have a national logistics strategy that allows efficient connectivity and competitive costs, which means that the country is still far from becoming the logistics hub of America.