The Panama Ports Company (PPC) of the CK Hutchison Holdings Group Hong Kong announced today that it has initiated proceedings arbitration against the Republic of Panama in relation to the annulment of the concession contract on the basis of which the terminal company of the Chinese group manages the ports of Cristóbal and Balboa, annulled by the judgment of the Supreme Court of Justice of Panama which declared the unconstitutionality of the law that had The contract has been made official ( of 30 January 2026).

PPC specified that the initiation of arbitration "follows to a campaign by the Panamanian state specifically directed against PPC and its one-year concession contract and characterized by a series of drastic actions by the State culminating in serious and looming further damage to PPC, while similar contracts in the port sector have not been taken of aim. In addition, the company denounced, arbitration follows the considerable efforts by PPC, which lasted one year, to start a discussion and prevent disputes. While carrying out diligently port operations and collaborating with the State Panamanian in many ways - the company specified in a note - PPC has constantly expressed, through various communications, its concerns about the state campaign during its and has tried to clarify and initiate consultations to avoid the need for arbitration, without obtaining no result. On the contrary, over the last year, earlier this year and even in the last few days, the State systematically ignored communications, efforts and requests for clarity".

Recriminating that "the Republic of Panama has violated the contract and the law', PPC specified that its request is aimed at compensation for "substantial damages". In addition, the terminal operator of the Chinese group recalled that it had reported the unusual nature of the press release issued by the Panamanian judiciary after the Supreme Court ruling of Justice, a sentence that in the opinion of PPC "is diametrically opposed to the previous decisions issued by the Supreme Court regarding contracts similar to that of the PPC» ( of 30 January 2026). Recalling also that the Court's ruling Suprema has not yet been published nor is it entry into force, the terminal operator company denounced that, "From the early hours of the morning following the press release press of the judiciary, the Panamanian State has declared and in largely implemented the necessary measures to take over the activities of the PPC. With various references to the unpublished judgment of - PPC explained - the measures taken by the State have including unexpected site visits and instructions for PPC, a private enterprise, provides unrestricted access to property and physical, commercial and intellectual information, and employees, on the basis that the State is "systematizing and executing" a "plan" of Port transition through "coordinated actions" of the State authorities'.

PPC highlighted that, for its part, "it has continued to port operations and to interact respectfully with the representatives of the State, also requesting access to this plan and opportunities for consultation and coordination'.