In 2025 Panamanian ports moved a record breaking volume of containers, up 3.6.% compared to 2024. This according to data from the Autoridad Marítima de Panamá(AMP). A total of 9.9 million TEU (20-foot containers) were moved, 345,586 units more than the year before, despite the uncertainty in global trade.
Largest Risers & Fallers
Four of the six container terminals of Panama’s National Port System saw increases in movements in 2025. Colon Container Terminal S.A. experienced the largest rise, with 10.2% and also had the largest absolute rise with 161,107 containers (from 1.58 to 1.74 TEU).
Panama Ports Company S.A. – Cristobal came next with an increase of 9.4% (from 1.10 to 1.21 million TEU), followed by SSA Marine MIT with 5.5% (from 2.71 to 2.86 TEU, 2nd largest volume rise)
Bocas Fruit Co LLC. saw a large decline in TEU with -53.1%. This performance was directly related to the forced halt in banana exports (Chiquita) from May to October due to protests.
SSA Marine MIT & Panama Ports – Balboa Saw Most Container Traffic
The port that moved the most containers in 2025 was once again SSA Marine MIT with 2.86 million TEU, closely followed by Panama Ports Company S.A. – Balboa with 2.68 million TEU. They are good for approximately 29% & 27% of total container traffic in 2025 respectively (56% combined). See the full ranking of ports in the Panamanian National Port System in the chart below.
Growth Driven by Transhipment
The increase in container movements was driven by a rise in transshipment cargo with 3.8%, comprising over 89% of total in 2025. Other destinations are the local market (10% of total, up 2.3%) and free zone (the rest).
Although the rate of expansion was slower than the previous year, when growth was over 15%, the volume reached in 2025 marks the highest level on record.
Container movements in Panama’s National Port System in TEU January – December 2025
Container Movements in the National Port System by destination in TEU January – December 2023-2025