US EditionHong Kong Lodges Protest After Panama Seizes Canal Ports
Panama took control of Balboa and Cristóbal ports after its Supreme Court annulled CK Hutchison’s concession, affecting nearly 4 million TEUs annually, with interim operators appointed.
- On Monday, Feb 23, 2026, the Panamanian government ordered occupation of the Balboa and Cristobal terminals, authorizing control of cranes, vehicles, computer systems, and software.
- In January, the Supreme Court of Panama ruled the Panama Ports Company concession unconstitutional and annulled its June 2021 extension, with publication in the official gazette finalizing the decision.
- Panama approved two temporary concession contracts with AMP for 18 months, naming APM Terminals Panama for Balboa and TIL/MSC for Cristobal; Labor Minister Jackeline Munoz assured no layoffs for 1,200 employees.
- The seizure imperils a US$23 billion sale to a consortium including BlackRock and MSC, while CK Hutchison Holdings ceased operations and vowed to challenge the takeover at the International Chamber of Commerce .
- The two terminals handle nearly 4 million TEU annually, media reports say CK Hutchison seeks $2 billion in reported damages, highlighting Panama's role in U.S.-China rivalry after President Donald Trump's accusations last year.
97 Articles
97 Articles
Controversial Panama Port Battle: CK Hutchison vs. State Authorities
CK Hutchison is embroiled in a legal conflict with Panama after its port concessions were annulled, prompting involvement from major global powers, including the U.S. The conglomerate alleges unlawful actions as Panama grants temporary port operations to other companies, assuring these measures aren't expropriation but temporary arrangements.
Following a Court Ruling, The Government of Panama Has Taken Back Control Over Both Entrances to the Panama Canal - Cancelled Chinese Contracts
The highest court in Panama has nulled the ‘Chinese’ contract for the operation of both entrance ports on the Panama Canal. The Panamanian government took back control and assigned operations to APM Terminals, a subsidiary of the Danish group A.P. Moller-Maersk. The state takeover comes after a 14-month long saga begun by President Trump who […]
Panama seizes control of key canal ports from Hong Kong company
Panama seized two key ports run by a Hong Kong-based company, raising the stakes in a legal fight that has embroiled Beijing and Washington. Port operator CK Hutchinson slammed the decision to grant the operating license to two European firms as “unlawful,” while authorities in Hong Kong lodged “stern protests” with Panama, underscoring the strategic importance of the sites. Though CK Hutchinson has run the ports for almost three decades, Washin…
Panama. The government of Panama occupied on Monday two ports at the entrances of the interoceanic channel that operated the Hongkonesa company CK Hutchison PPC, after the ruling of the Supreme Court of Justice that declared unconstitutional the concession to that company.
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