Coverage of national economic trends, policy decisions, and indicators that affect everyday life. We provide analysis of fiscal policy, employment, and growth drivers.
Panama Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez said the waterway will not speculate on prices as global shipping faces pressure from tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. The canal is emphasizing transparency and stability to preserve confidence among shipping lines.
Panama’s National Assembly is advancing a bill that would add a $1.50 fee per TEU container entering the country’s ports to help fund pension equalization. The proposal has sparked concern in the logistics and maritime sectors.
Panama Canal administrator Ricaurte Vásquez said El Niño will be a decisive factor in how the waterway operates, given its dependence on rainfall. The warning underscores the canal’s ongoing need to manage water availability closely.
Panama’s fuel prices will shift on May 1, with diesel set to drop and 95-octane gasoline expected to rise. The change comes as subsidy costs climb above earlier government estimates.
MIT students spent a month in Panama studying how real estate development can better serve communities, not just investors. The experience highlighted the importance of livability, planning, and long-term urban growth.
Panama’s Assembly has moved a pension bill forward that would fund higher benefits with a new $1.50 charge per TEU, alarming the maritime sector. Port operators warn the fee could hurt competitiveness and cargo volumes.
The planned new fiscal pier in Puerto Almirante has entered a market study phase as Panama continues to evaluate port infrastructure needs in Colón province. The project could strengthen maritime activity in one of the country’s key logistics zones.
Panama’s Maritime Chamber is rejecting a proposed container fee in Proyecto de Ley 491, warning that it could hurt the country’s logistics competitiveness. The bill is tied to increasing support for retirees and pensioners.
The Panama Canal has pushed back against speculation that tensions in the Strait of Hormuz could lead to higher fees. The move reinforces the canal’s role as a stable route for global trade.
Acodeco recovered more than $105,000 in coactive collections during the first quarter of 2026. The agency says final unpaid obligations can move into enforcement once they become legally executable.
The United States and five Latin American countries accused China of politicizing trade by tightening controls on Panamanian-flagged ships. The dispute comes amid rising tension over Panama’s ports and the strategic role of the Panama Canal.
Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is pushing more energy shipments toward the Panama Canal, raising traffic, congestion and transit costs. The spike highlights the canal’s role as a vital alternative route in global trade.
The Latin Tyre & Auto Parts Expo will return to Panama in 2026, reinforcing the country’s role as a regional trade and logistics hub. The event is expected to draw industry players across the automotive and recycling sectors.
Panama will see a new fuel price adjustment this week, with 95-octane gasoline rising and diesel falling. The change could affect commuting costs and transport expenses nationwide.
The Panama Canal is back in the spotlight as U.S.-China rivalry adds new geopolitical weight to one of the world’s most important shipping routes. For Panama, the canal remains both an economic engine and a strategic national asset.
Panama Canal booking prices have nearly tripled as shipping companies race to secure passage amid instability tied to the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz risks. One carrier paid $4 million to cross, highlighting the canal’s global importance.
China accused the United States of politicizing the Panama Canal terminal dispute while seeking greater control over the waterway. The exchange adds to growing tensions over Panama’s strategic ports and canal-linked infrastructure.
China’s foreign minister accused the United States of politicizing Panama port issues and spreading rumors amid tensions tied to the Panama Canal. The remarks highlight growing geopolitical competition around one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
A constitutional challenge has reached Panama’s Supreme Court over the law requiring ethanol in gasoline. The case comes as lawmakers and energy officials continue to clash over the policy’s impact on consumers, competition and the sugar industry.
President José Raúl Mulino met with Realizando Metas lawmakers to review fuel costs, water projects, road works, and measures to address rising expenses. The talks highlight the government’s focus on cost-of-living pressures and public infrastructure.