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Implications of Panama court ruling to quash CK Hutchison port concessions
Panama's court nullified CK Hutchison's port contracts amid geopolitical pressures, risking $19 billion sale involving China Cosco Shipping and BlackRock, sources said.
- On January 29, Panama's Supreme Court nullified the concession allowing Panama Ports Company, a CK Hutchison subsidiary, to operate Balboa and Cristóbal ports due to constitutional violations.
- Rising U.S.-China tensions helped drive complications in the ports sale, while Ta Kung Pao accused Panama of `kowtowing` to U.S. pressure in a Jan 31 commentary.
- Strategically, the two terminals handled 3.88mn TEUs in 2025, representing 39.2% of national container traffic, tied to a $23b deal involving China Cosco Shipping and BlackRock.
- President José Raúl Mulino said PPC will continue operating the ports until the ruling is final and appointed a technical coordinator, with the US Department of State endorsing the ruling.
- Legal experts note CK Hutchison Holdings faces limited appeals in Panama and may seek damages in international courts, but Panama would likely plead sovereign immunity, signaling sovereign authority reassertion soon.
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Panama court ruling reshapes Hong Kong port ownership amid US-China rivalry
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·Berlin, Germany
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Noriega also expressed concern about Maersk’s growing role, warning that the concentration of the railway and the ports of Balboa and Cristóbal could turn the company into a “megaport” with enormous logistical power in the Cana area
Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left0Leaning Right2Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution71% Center
Bias Distribution
- 71% of the sources are Center
71% Center
C 71%
R 29%
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