To ensure the continuity of port operations in the Panamanian ports of Cristóbal and Balboa, located in the respectively on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Panama, these assets will be conferred temporarily to APM Terminals, the group's terminal operator Danish shipowner A.P. Møller-Mærsk. This was announced Panamanian President, José Raúl on Friday Mulino, after the ruling of the Supreme Court of Justice of Panama has declared the law on the contract of concession that it awarded to the Panama Ports Company of the CK group Hong Kong-based Hutchison Holdings to manage the two ports ( of 30 and 30 January 2026).

In a message to the nation, Mulino recalled that the two "are one of the strategic pillars of the economy national and a key link in international trade' and - He added - "We are fully aware that the recent ruling of the Supreme Court is a decision of great relevance and impact that requires our utmost attention and the our commitment to safeguard these assets that belong to all Panamanians."

The President recalled that the Court's pronouncement Suprema has a precedent in the sentence he declared The concession contract for exploitation is unconstitutional of the copper mine by the Panama Mining of the First Quantum Minerals. Mulino explained that with the new sentence on the ports, while waiting for it to become definitive, there will be a continuity period with the current operator to be followed a transition period until a new concession, "on terms and conditions - he specified - favorable to our country". The president announced that he in the meantime, having instructed the Panama Maritime Authority "to meet immediately with Panama Ports Company to coordinate the actions necessary for the purposes mentioned above. We expect - underlined - that the company, associated with Hutchison Port and subsidiary of the multinational conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings, with a global presence and a strong commitment to its reputation fully cooperate during this phase. The State Panamanian guarantees the constitutional and legal rights of the company and will also supervise their contractual obligations until the end of the transition period to which I have referred. For its part, the Ministry of Labour will support this process, ensuring a smooth and transparent transition for all, as a governing body of trade union relations in the country". Addressing the port workers, Mulino said that "the your jobs are the most valuable asset of our terminal and are guaranteed. There will be no layoffs", while addressing suppliers and customers of the ports, it has ensured "the continuity of existing relationships and a orderly administrative transition".

The Panamanian president then announced that APM Terminals "has expressed their willingness to temporarily hire the management of both terminals". Highlighting that this terminal operator company has the skills and experience necessary to better manage the transition phase, Mulino has specified that "this measure will only be activated once once the Supreme Court ruling becomes until a new grant, following an open and participatory procedure, to defence of Panamanian interests, with the guarantee of better resources for our country".

After the president's message, the Authority Maritime of Panama guaranteed that "the activities proceed normally, without interruption, and continue to offer optimal levels of productivity, efficiency and quality of service for shipping companies and their customers" and, referring to Panama Ports Company, the authority expressed "in his constructive cooperation during this phase, benefiting the stability of the entire system port sector".