Meanwhile, the Panamanian government maintains that judicial decisions must be respected and that the port transition process will follow its course. The future of Balboa and Cristóbal remains open, with a legal and political tension keeping the port sector and the commerce that depends on these terminals on edge. The dispute over the country's main ports is escalating and entering a more delicate phase. CK Hutchison issued a direct warning to Maersk: if its subsidiary APM Terminals takes over the operation of Balboa or Cristóbal without authorization, there will be legal action. Hutchinson's statement comes amid the open conflict following the court ruling that annulled the concession in place since 1997. The company argues that the Supreme Court's decision left decades of contracts and operations in uncertainty, which, in its view, remain protected by international agreements and treaties. For CK, any accelerated transition or change without consensus represents a direct infringement on its rights and those of Panama Ports Company, its subsidiary in Panama. In this context, Maersk expressed its willingness to temporarily take over the administration of the ports to avoid disruptions to trade. However, CK stated that the entry of a third party without its consent constitutes a legal violation and will be taken to the appropriate courts. The warning was formalized by Hutchison Port Holdings, which notified both the Panamanian state and the Danish group that an intervention by APM Terminals, even on a provisional basis, will lead to lawsuits for damages. Meanwhile, Panama Ports Company activated an international arbitration against Panama, alleging economic damages and a forced exit without an effective dialogue process. The company states that it attempted to resolve the conflict before resorting to international instances, without obtaining concrete responses. The case is already having an impact outside the country. Hong Kong authorities questioned the Panamanian ruling and warned of possible effects on investor confidence.
