The Panama Canal anticipates that the final tender documents for new port projects will be ready by mid-year, around August, as part of a process currently in the prequalification and market outreach phase. This was explained by the administrator of the interoceanic route, Ricaurte Vásquez Morales. The authority published the prequalification documents for two terminals and a gas pipeline last Friday, January 30. 'Once interested parties formally express their desire to participate in the bidding process, we will hold a series of conversations with the prequalified companies to determine the final document,' he noted. In parallel, the Canal is promoting a gas pipeline project of approximately 76 kilometers to connect the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. 'This should take about five or six months for the final award to be made in early 2027,' stated Vásquez. He also mentioned that the Canal has chosen to proceed with caution. 'First, we need to go to the market to see who is formally interested,' he explained. He explained that the first discussions about these projects took place in October, and from them, the interest of several companies emerged. The initiative is in the market outreach phase, and once the operator selection process is completed, its construction could begin around 2027. These projects aim to expand the national transshipment capacity by about 5 million TEU annually. According to Vásquez, the definitive document should be ready by mid-year. 'The final document must be released, say, mid-year, more or less August,' he indicated. He explained that from that moment, the award process will take several months. 'We had a conversation about the topic in October. A number of firms appeared interested in this project. The development of new port terminals in Corozal and Telfers is being considered, with an estimated investment of US$2.6 billion. That is proceeding calmly.'
