Coverage of Panama’s corporate world, markets, startups, and trade developments. We provide news, analysis, and practical insights for business leaders and entrepreneurs.
Hainan has opened as a free-trade port, prompting warnings that it could undercut Hong Kong’s duty-free appeal. A key counterargument is that Hong Kong’s edge lies in its role as a global financial hub under China’s opening-up strategy.
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission warned that China has sharply increased detentions of Panamanian-flagged ships, a move linked to a legal dispute over Panama’s terminal concessions and with potential trade implications.
IndexBox reports a dispute between CK Hutchison and Panama over a port concession has topped $2 billion. The report provides the headline amount but no further details.
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission warned of possible actions against China after intensified inspections and detentions of Panama-flagged vessels, linking the measures to the transfer of Hutchison port assets.
Copa Airlines’ ALAS academy graduated 42 new commercial pilots in Panama, including 14 women (33%). The non-profit academy trains on Diamond aircraft as Copa plans to hire 350+ pilots.
Russia is positioning itself to profit from the Iran war’s disruption to oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, with Putin urging energy suppliers to use higher “additional revenues.” A temporary easing of US sanctions is also cited as boosting Moscow’s advantage in supplying Asia.
The WTO is holding a crunch meeting amid growing uncertainty over whether members can agree on reforms to the multilateral trade system. Failure to reach consensus could accelerate fragmentation, with some countries creating alternative “rulebooks.”
China has detained Panama-flagged ships in the context of a dispute over port control, according to a US agency cited in a report. The incident comes amid increased US pressure aimed at limiting Chinese influence around the Panama Canal.
Apatel president Víctor Concepción opposes a draft law to charge $10 to transit passengers at Tocumen Airport, calling the measure unconsulted and harmful to tourism.
OpenAI has suspended plans for an erotic chatbot feature known internally as “modo Citron,” after criticism reported by the Financial Times. The move raises moderation and regulatory questions for users and policymakers in Panama.
gCaptain reports a rise in vessel detentions at Panamanian ports amid a dispute involving China, a development a U.S. regulator has warned could affect shipping and trade through Panama.
Reuters reports the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission is monitoring a surge in detentions of Panama-flagged vessels in China amid a reported dispute over port control, raising concerns for Panama’s maritime registry.
China says it has completed a tariff investigation and warned it could impose retaliatory measures against Mexico. The duties, ranging from 5% to 50% on 1,463 product categories, may also complicate Mexico’s parallel US trade talks.
Panama is studying a transport relief program to prevent fare increases amid rising global fuel prices, with transport operators set to submit data for MEF simulations before April 1.
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission is monitoring a surge in detentions of Panama-flagged vessels in China that appears linked to a Panama court ruling. The situation could have operational and diplomatic implications for Panama and the maritime sector.
The National Fishing Chamber backed Panama’s ARAP and denied that the fishing sector is out of control, saying sustainability and economic development are complementary goals.
The Asociación Directoras de Panamá presented the results of its eighth compliance study on Panama’s gender equity law, urging inclusion of qualified women on boards and highlighting the group’s training and advocacy work.
Alejandro Ramírez of Cobre Panamá confirmed that an environmental audit is underway at the mining project in Donoso. The process aims to review the project’s environmental management and compliance.
The Panamanian government has requested fuel consumption and route data from transport operators to explore ways of avoiding passenger fare increases after a rise in fuel prices.
Panama’s National Chamber of Fisheries and Aquaculture has voiced strong support for ARAP, defending the regulated fishing sector and highlighting full VMS coverage amid regulatory updates under Decreto Ejecutivo No.13/2023.