Coverage of Panama’s corporate world, markets, startups, and trade developments. We provide news, analysis, and practical insights for business leaders and entrepreneurs.
The Panama Canal will allow uninterrupted ship passage during planned maintenance from March through September, a move aimed at minimizing disruption to shipping and trade.
An ongoing conflict involving Iran is disrupting shipping, manufacturing and agricultural inputs, raising concern that global food supplies and prices could be hit, with knock-on effects for Panama and Latin America.
Panama Canal Authority chief Ricaurte Vásquez said the canal is operating at top capacity with 36–38 daily transits, and that the Iran conflict has boosted LNG vessel traffic through the waterway.
Reuters reports the Panama Canal is at top capacity with 36–38 daily transits as the Iran war lifts LNG vessel traffic, pressuring scheduling and trade flows.
Panamanian authorities have rejected claims by a unit of CK Hutchison that they ignored an arbitration process, after the company filed an administrative petition urging reconsideration of an executive decision.
President Mulino has rejected CK Hutchison’s claims that Panama failed to meet arbitration obligations, while Panama Ports Company pushed back and cited transition-era information gaps and constitutional questions over tax exemptions.
At the EU‑Central America Forum 2026, Panama demanded removal of “discriminatory lists,” defending its international image and urging cooperative solutions to boost investment.
At the EU-Central America Forum 2026, Panama’s foreign minister demanded removal from “discriminatory lists,” urging reciprocity from the EU while highlighting a $1.2B EU pledge for regional infrastructure.
The US is considering removing sanctions on Iranian oil stranded on tankers at sea, a move that could be seen as a de-escalatory step and may affect global energy flows.
New gasoline prices in Panama took effect March 20, with increases up to about 30 centavos per liter. Telemetro also reports ACODECO has sanctioned a gas station.
China will add 12 commercial banks to its e-CNY system as it moves the digital yuan from a cash alternative toward an interest-bearing deposit instrument, part of a wider push in the five-year plan.
Russian Urals crude has risen sharply amid the US‑Israel conflict with Iran, potentially benefiting Russia and other producers while posing wider implications for fuel and shipping costs in Panama and Latin America.
Panama Canal chief Ricaurte Vasquez said the waterway is operating at top capacity with 36–38 transits per day, driven in part by increased LNG vessel traffic linked to the Iran war.
Telemetro reports that differences between Grupo Hutchison and AMP will be resolved before an international arbitral tribunal, which will decide the merits of the dispute.
The Panama Canal is operating at top capacity, with 36–38 daily transits, as increased LNG vessel traffic driven by the Iran war puts pressure on scheduling and canal throughput.
A draft Chinese finance law proposes tools to counter foreign sanctions, protect offshore assets and impose national security checks on financial data, with potential effects for offshore centers including Panama.
A March 20, 2026 report says Panama’s recent power tender drew bids that were about 90% renewable, with up to 1.4 GW of capacity offered, signaling strong clean-energy interest.
China’s exports of rare-earth permanent magnets to the U.S. fell to 994 tonnes in Jan-Feb, down about 22.5% year-on-year, marking a seventh straight month of decline as Washington and allies diversify supply chains.
InvestHK chief Alpha Lau urged Hong Kong to capitalise on its “safe haven” status to draw companies relocating from Dubai amid Middle East tensions, as firms weigh rising costs and uncertainty.
Swire Coca-Cola won a HK$31.9 million, 27-month contract to supply Bonaqua water to Hong Kong government offices, following last year’s HK$52.9 million bottled water procurement scandal.