Panama City, Panama – FEBRUARY 11, 2026 — Isla Maritime, a Tampa-based marine services provider specializing in vessel salvage and commercial diving, has expanded operations into Panama through a partnership with J.A.M. Marine Dockyard, one of the country’s leading ship repair and maintenance facilities. By combining Isla Maritime’s international expertise with J.A.M.’s local capabilities and infrastructure, the partnership will enhance regional maritime readiness and enable undisrupted navigability through these waterways. “Panama’s waterways are essential for maintaining efficient global commerce and trade operations, but when a maritime incident occurs, what follows are supply chain disruptions, rising costs, and uncertainty,” said Aileen Caras, CEO of Isla Maritime. “With Panama’s strategic location in the center of the Americas, Isla Maritime is now at an advantage to respond to maritime incidents quickly, while international companies just begin to mobilize personnel and resources.” The strategic partnership between Isla Maritime and J.A.M. Marine Dockyard delivers high-quality, efficient solutions that strengthen Panama’s maritime and logistics network. “This partnership is more than a business collaboration — it represents a bridge between local expertise and international experience,” said Alejandro Villarreal, CEO of J.A.M. Marine Dockyard. This collaboration enhances safety, operational readiness, and mutual trust across borders. Isla Maritime’s team boasts nearly 50 years of combined experience, working for industry leaders like Resolve Marine and TITAN Salvage, managing high-profile salvage and emergency response projects across the globe, including places such as South America, Australia, and India. Isla Maritime’s team of skilled commercial divers hold diverse backgrounds in salvage, ships husbandry, construction, welding, and offshore oil and gas, making them uniquely qualified to navigate challenging and regulated underwater environments, while ensuring compliance with international industry standards. Together, the two companies are now strategically positioned to respond and stabilize local and international maritime incidents occurring across one of the world’s most pivotal maritime waterways. Serving as an intersection of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as a connector to Central and South America, Panama’s geographic location makes it vital to global supply chains and trade. Supported by ISO 9000:2015 and Class-certified engineers, divers and welders, J.A.M. Marine Dockyard benefits ship owners, ship managers, ships agents, insurers, and salvage companies alike, offering a complete range of services across all areas of salvage operations and wreck removals — from hot tapping and fuel removal to cargo lightering and refloating. The yard can accommodate up to eight vessels simultaneously and provides mechanical, electrical, steel, and underwater works.
