The construction project for a cable car system in Panama has faced another postponement for the submission of proposals. The event, initially scheduled for the end of March, has now been rescheduled to a new date in May.
System Details The tender for the cable car system outlines that the contract will be an administrative concession for a 20-year period. This includes all phases of the project: manufacturing, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and the eventual reversal of assets to the State upon the agreement's termination.
The system is designed to transport 2,800 people per hour in each direction, with a future projection of up to 3,600 people per hour in each sense, at a maximum speed of six meters per second.
The cable car route will include six stations: Balboa, Cincuentenario, Samaria, Mano de Piedra, Valle de Urracá, and Torrijos Carter, with an approximate extension of 6.6 kilometers. Additionally, the construction of a cabin garage is planned next to the Cincuentenario station, selected for having adequate space for its installation.
The cable car construction project has registered further changes in its bidding process after the deadline for proposal submission was modified for the fifth time. To this end, a public forum for the urban cable car was held on February 21, a requirement by the Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) prior to the final approval of the study. This site will have the capacity to store all operational cabins of the system and will feature two maintenance baskets.
It should be recalled that this project will be based on a monocable detachable gondola lift system.
As part of the process, the project must include a Category III Environmental Impact Study.
According to the latest addendum to the terms of reference, the act of receiving proposals has been rescheduled for the upcoming May 28.
According to Addendum No. 9, dated March 31, the decision responds to a request for an extension submitted by the two prequalified consortia, who requested more time to structure their economic proposals.
According to the document, "they need to complete negotiations with multilateral banks and define aspects related to guarantees or bonds, both for the proposal and for the execution of the contract."
The request comes from the two prequalified consortia: the Teleférico SPE Consortium, composed of Sofratesa de Panamá, Inc.; Ingeniería Estrella, S.A.; and Promotora y Desarrolladora Mexicana de Infraestructura, S.A. de C.V.; and the San Miguelito Cable Car Consortium, integrated by Cointer (Spain) and Doppelmayr (Austria).
The cable car project has a reference price of 278.6 million dollars, and according to the terms of the public act, a proposal bond equivalent to 10% of the offer value is established.
Terms of Reference Modified This process is part of a best-value tender, whose terms of reference have been modified on several occasions through addenda signed by the general director and legal representative of Metro de Panamá, S.A., César Pinzón.
Initially, the submission and opening of proposals were scheduled for November 17 of last year, according to the original terms. Subsequently, a first addendum moved the date to January 15, 2026, and a second set it for February 26.
