The multinational company APM Terminals announced its willingness to temporarily take over the operations of the Balboa and Cristóbal ports. The objective is to guarantee the continuity of regional and global trade and protect Panama's strategic role as a logistics hub. This reaction came after the president of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, spoke about the situation of both terminals on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. In an official statement, APM confirmed its interest in operating the ports while the legal and administrative landscape stabilizes following the Supreme Court's decision. APM Terminals specified that any entry into operation must be carried out in strict compliance with the formalities and procedures required by Panamanian law, and only after the court's ruling is properly executed, a process whose timing does not depend on the company. "The intention is to mitigate risks that may affect essential services for regional and global trade and support Panama's logistics hub," the company stated, emphasizing that it is not part of the ongoing legal processes nor does it participate in decisions about the future structure of the ports, either in the short or long term. The port operator added that any action will be guided by technical criteria, the integrity of the supply chain, and the public interest, at a time when the stability of Balboa and Cristóbal is crucial for the national economy and international maritime transit. APM Terminals highlighted that it operates under standardized models and proven management systems across its global network, ensuring safe, productive, and non-discriminatory operations for all shipping lines and clients. Currently, the company operates 60 terminals in 34 countries, and in 2024 alone, it handled over 27,000 vessels and 23.2 million annual movements, with a workforce of nearly 33,000 employees, solidifying its position as one of the world's leaders in port efficiency. The company's interest in managing the Balboa and Cristóbal ports aims to prevent any port disruptions, which would have a direct impact on trade, regional logistics, and Panama's image as a global maritime platform.
