Container movements in Panamanian ports were up by 15.1% in 2024, according to data from Autoridad Marítima de Panamá. A total of 9.57 million TEU (20-foot containers) were moved, 1.25 million units more compared to 2023.
All six container terminals of the national port system saw increases in movements in the year of 2024. Bocas Fruit Co. the smallest port in terms of container movement, experienced the largest rise, with 107% (from 77,528 to 160,952 TEU). PSA Panamá port came next with an increase of 30% (from 1,057,456 to 1,384,250 TEU) followed by PPC – Cristobal with 24% (from 888,306 to 1,107,006 TEU).
The port that moved the most containers in 2024 continues to be SSA Marine MIT with 2.71 million TEU (+3.5%), followed by Panama Ports Company S.A. – Balboa with 2.63 million TEU (+13%).
The increase in container traffic is mainly driven by a rise in transshipment activity. Transshipment movements were up by 16.34% last year and comprise almost 90% of total. The other destinations are the local market (10%) and free zone (the rest).
