The approved agreements in maritime and air transport provide the basis for establishing direct air routes and will allow vessels flying the Panamanian flag to receive preferential treatment in Chinese ports.
Panamanian authorities ratified the transport agreements with the Asian country, which includes the civil air transport agreement, through which both countries laid the foundations to establish direct routes, opening space to establish commercial or cargo flights between both countries.
In 2017, Panamanian ports handled 6.9 million containers, 10% more than in 2016.
According to figures from the Panama Maritime Authority, the largest growth in container movement was registered at the Cristobal port terminal, increasing from 793 thousand TEUs in 2016 to 1.3 million TEUs in 2017, which is equivalent to an increase of 65%.
Between January and November 2017, Panamanian ports handled 6.3 million containers, 12% more than the same period in 2016.
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.
Between January and September, Panamanian ports moved 5 million containers, 13% more than in the same period in 2016.
Compared with the same period in 2016, the increase of 12.6% is equivalent to 577,679 additional TEUs.
According to figures from the Panama Maritime Authority, the largest movement was recorded in June, with 610,975 TEUs. In the remaining months, the movement was higher than 500 thousand TEUs.
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.
Vessels sailing under the Panamanian flag will receive benefits in port tariffs and preferential treatment in ports in the People's Republic of China.
From a statement issued by the Presidency of Panama:
Panama reaffirms its leadership in merchant marine matters by receiving the status of "Most Favored Nation", with which vessels under their registry will receive benefits in port tariffs and preferential treatment in ports in the People's Republic of China.
The wharf in the Southern Caribbean of Nicaragua will now have the capacity to receive international commercial vessels.
Authorities from the National Port Company explained to Elnuevodiario.com.ni that "... the old wharf of Corn Islands had already exhausted its useful life, which is why the ships had difficulty docking in that zone".
The new maritime single window promises to speed up the transhipment process, improve port exit times and reduce the use of paper through a digital system.
From a statement issued by the Panama Canal Authority:
From today, the Panama Maritime Single Window (VUMPA) will operate for ships arriving as of Sunday, September 24, according to Jorge L. Quijano, Canal administrator.
In the first seven months of this year 2.4 million containers have moved through panamanian ports, 10% more than in the same period in 2016.
Preliminary figures from the Panama Maritime Authority show that between January and July of this year, 2,357,588 containers passed through Panamanian ports, equivalent to 3.9 million TEUs.
From September 27th to 29th, companies from the maritime sector will be meeting in Panama to discuss issues related to technology, rules and regulations in the industry.
From a statement issued by the Maritime Chamber of Panama:
First Annual Maritime Conference of Panama entitled "The Next 100 Years" set within the framework of Panama's 100-year ship registry.At the Sheraton Hotel in Panama City.
A new service connects the Guatemalan port with the east coast of the United States, Europe and the Mediterranean, through the port of Caucedo, in the Dominican Republic.
From a statement issued by Agexport:
Derived from the need of the Guatemalan export sector to transport goods in a reduced time of four days, in a more efficient manner, to the Caribbean market, the country's logistics chain has a new service that connects to the port of Santo Tomás de Castilla in the Atlantic with the East Coast of the United States, Europe and the Mediterranean through the port of Caucedo, in the Dominican Republic.
Entrepreneurs from the agribusiness, maritime and commercial sectors will be visiting Panama City from July 24 to explore business opportunities and public-private partnerships.
Martesfinanciero.com reports that "...In Panama, several Chilean companies are operating in the area of fuel, energy, commerce, agro-industry and the logistics and shipping industry.According to the Embassy of Chile in Panama, these investments are worth more than $900 million."
From September 27 to 29, companies from the sector will be meeting to discuss issues such as bunkering and environmental impact, ports and shipping lines, cargo transportation and the auxiliary maritime industry.
From a statement issued by the Maritime Chamber of Panama:
The Maritime Chamber of Panama, for the education and updating of the maritime, port and logistics sector of our country, will be holding, from September 27 to 29, the First Annual Maritime Conference of Panama entitled "The Next 100 Years" within the framework of the 100 year anniversary of Panamanian ship registration.
The Everglades port in Florida offers the option to transport merchandise already placed in the United States, under a deposit scheme, to Miami airport and from there by air to Europe.
From a statement issued by Agexport:
Guatemalan agroexports are mainly produced in rural areas of the country from where they are transferred by land to a ship that will take them to their destination. Now, a port in the United States is offering a direct connection that, in a few hours, will bring ocra and peas to Europe by air.
The technical office of the Maritime Authority will operate 24 hours a day in order to facilitate the formalities for conducting maritime business on the US East Coast.
From a statement issued by the Port Authority:
As part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Panama Ship Registry, the Panama Maritime Authority inaugurated its technical offices in Miami, Florida on Friday, in order to facilitate technical inquiries and respond to customers in the area.