Panama has transferred the day-to-day running of the Balboa and Cristóbal ports at the Panama Canal to APM Terminals, part of Denmark’s Maersk, and MSC during an 18-month transition period.
The move follows a Panama Supreme Court ruling that annulled CK Hutchison’s concession for the terminals, after legal challenges dating back to 2021 and a 2025 government audit that alleged irregularities.
President Raúl Mulino said Panama is using an “occupation decree” to keep the ports operating while a new concession is tendered. The government said the decree allows use of port assets, including equipment and IT systems, without expropriating them.
CK Hutchison said it ceased operations and called the takeover unlawful, describing it as a confiscation. The company has pursued arbitration against Panama, while the labour minister said there would be no lay-offs during the handover.
CK Hutchison has previously threatened legal action against Maersk and AP Terminal, should they take over the ports of Balboa and Cristóbal.
