US EditionPanama orders occupation of 2 key canal ports after Supreme Court ruling
Panama took control of the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals after the Supreme Court voided CK Hutchison’s concession, with new operators appointed for up to 18 months.
- 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.
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74 Articles
Panama terminates Hong Kong group CK Hutchison's canal port contracts: Who will operate Balboa, Cristobal terminals now?
Panama published an official gazette on Monday, citing a Supreme Court ruling that cancelled key port contracts held by a subsidiary of CK Hutchison, known as Panama Ports Company (PPC).
This decision follows the ruling of the Supreme Court, which had considered the concession to CK Hutchison, the ports of Cristobal and Balboa, located at both ends of this strategic route, as "unconstitutional". Washington welcomed the announcement while Beijing promised to "protect the rights and legitimate interests of its companies".
Panama wrests control of 2 canal ports from Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison
Panamanian authorities took control Monday of two ports on the Panama Canal from CK Hutchison after the Hong Kong-based conglomerate’s concession was annulled amid a row between the United States and China. The administrative entrance at the port of Balboa in Panama City on February 12, 2026. Photo: Martin Berneti/AFP. In January, the country’s supreme court had declared as “unconstitutional” the contract which had allowed Hutchison’s subsidiary…
Panama seizes 2 key canal ports from Hong Kong operator following Supreme Court ruling
A Hong Kong-based company that has operated key ports at the ends of the Panama Canal for decades says the government has seized them. The seizure came after the country's top court ruled that the operator’s contract is unconstitutional. The…
Winnipeg Free Press
Hong Kong protests after Panama takes control of 2 key ports on the Panama Canal
Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada
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