What Happened
Detentions of Panama-flagged vessels in Chinese ports rose sharply in March, with 92 of 124 retained ships flying the Panamanian flag, according to port-movement data reviewed from the Asia Pacific Computerized Information System. That share represented 74.19% of all detentions recorded in China that month.
The jump came after Panama’s constitutional court ruling that invalidated the concession contract for Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison. Chinese officials responded by saying they would take all necessary measures to protect the rights and interests of Chinese companies.
In February, 19 Panama-flagged ships were detained in China. In January, the figure was 23. Compared with February, March represented a 384.21% increase. So far in April, 11 more Panama-flagged vessels have already been detained.
How the Numbers Compare
The March total marks a steep increase from the same month last year, when 32 Panama-flagged ships were detained in China. In March 2024, the number was 13; in 2023, it was 34; in 2022, just 3; in 2021, 5; and in 2020, 2.
Across the wider Asia-Pacific region, 185 vessel detentions were recorded in March 2026, with China accounting for 124 of them. That concentration makes China the main driver of the regional total.
Why It Matters
The detentions are being viewed by Panamanian officials and international observers through the lens of the broader dispute over Panama Ports Company. The ruling that declared the concession unconstitutional was published in Gaceta Oficial on January 31, and Chinese authorities quickly signaled they would defend the interests of their firms.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was among the first to raise concerns, warning that the detentions could disrupt supply chains and raise logistics costs on key trade routes. On April 3, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning rejected the allegations and accused Washington of trying to sow confusion to gain control of Panama’s ports.
Panama’s Response and International Backing
Panama’s Foreign Ministry said the country had received support from Israel, Ukraine, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Peru and Honduras, along with international organizations, over the detentions and inspections of Panama-flagged ships in China.
The government said it valued the backing for the country’s merchant fleet but has not announced any retaliatory measure. The issue comes as Balboa and Cristóbal ports are now under temporary administration by subsidiaries of Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Company, after nearly three decades under PPC’s operation.