---
title: "Panama Canal Opens Prequalification for 76 km Energy Pipeline and Two Container Terminals"
date: 2026-01-30
modified: 2026-03-19
author: ""
url: https://panamadaily.news/2026/01/30/panama-prequalifies-energy-pipeline-ports/
categories:
  - "Business"
  - "Economy"
  - "News"
tags:
  - "concessions"
  - "container ports"
  - "energy pipeline"
  - "Panama Canal"
  - "transshipment"
---

# Panama Canal Opens Prequalification for 76 km Energy Pipeline and Two Container Terminals

## What Happened

On January 30, 2026 the Panama Canal Authority published prequalification documents for two strategic initiatives: an approximately 76-kilometre energy corridor pipeline and the development of container port terminals on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The documents, and their amendments, are available through the Canal’s online procurement system to allow interested parties to submit documentation for review by a technical evaluation board.

## Project Details

The energy corridor pipeline is designed to carry propane, butane and ethane with an estimated capacity of up to 2.5 million barrels per day. The proposal specifies that the pipeline would not require transit through the canal’s locks and would not involve additional water consumption. The port initiative foresees two container terminals—one on each coast—aimed at raising Panama’s national transshipment capacity to between 5.0 and 6.0 million TEUs per year.

## Market Engagement and Stakeholders

The publication follows a market engagement and analysis process led by the Canal’s Complementary Business Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. As part of that outreach, the Canal held group conferences and one-on-one meetings with industry representatives. Initial meetings took place on September 18 with energy-sector companies for the pipeline and on October 27 with maritime-industry representatives for the terminals. Follow-up sessions gathered technical feedback and validated market assumptions.

Companies and financial groups engaged during the pipeline outreach included ENEOS, Energy Transfer, ExxonMobil, Enterprise Products Partners, Chevron, Fortress Investment Group, Gyxis Corporation, Itochu Corporation, NMDC Group, Vopak, Astomos Energy, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Iwatani, I Squared, Movement Industries, Otamerica Oiltanking America, Phillips 66, SK Gas, Sumitomo Corporation, SMBC Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Targa Resources, Ultranav, and ONEOK. Port terminal consultations involved firms such as APM Terminals, Cosco Shipping Ports, CMA Terminals, DP World, Hanseatic Global Terminals, MOL, PSA International, SSA Marine-Grupo Carrix, Terminal Investment Limited, ONE, and Evergreen.

## Land, Social and Environmental Approach

The Canal’s Board authorized a real estate purchase transaction with the Nation, through the Ministry of Economy and Finance, to secure areas needed for these strategic projects. The Authority emphasizes a multisectoral social and environmental approach from the outset, noting that logistics and infrastructure development will be aligned with the well-being of communities in the Canal’s areas of influence on both coasts.

## What This Means

Both initiatives form part of the Panama Canal Authority Strategic Vision 2025–2035, which seeks to diversify services, strengthen operational resilience and reinforce Panama’s position as a leading global logistics hub. Publishing the prequalification documents is a formal step toward selecting concessionaires and advancing project planning while maintaining channels for industry input during the procurement phase.