---
title: "Panama Calls on Chinese Shipping Giant Cosco to Resume Canal Operations, Says SCMP"
date: 2026-03-15
modified: 2026-03-16
author: ""
url: https://panamadaily.news/panama-urges-cosco-resume-operations/
categories:
  - "Business"
  - "Economy"
tags:
  - "Cosco"
  - "Panama"
  - "Panama Canal"
  - "shipping"
  - "trade"
---

# Panama Calls on Chinese Shipping Giant Cosco to Resume Canal Operations, Says SCMP

## What Happened

Panama has urged Chinese state-linked shipping giant Cosco to resume operations at the Panama Canal, according to a report by the South China Morning Post. The request underscores the canal’s importance to global shipping and Panama’s interest in keeping traffic moving through its critical waterway.

## Background

The Panama Canal is a central artery for international trade, linking the Atlantic and Pacific and handling billions of dollars in cargo every year. Cosco (China COSCO Shipping) is one of the largest container shipping companies in the world; any change in its use of the canal can have broad implications for service patterns, transit volumes and freight flows.

## Impact and implications

While the South China Morning Post report provides the immediate fact of Panama’s appeal to Cosco, the broader implications are clear. A major carrier scaling back or altering canal calls can affect transit revenues for Panama and change scheduling and routing for shippers. For Panama, maintaining steady transit business is important for canal toll revenue and for preserving the country’s role in global logistics.

For the global shipping industry, decisions by large carriers about canal use can shift cargo onto longer routes around Cape Horn or through the Suez Canal, or alter service strings and port calls. Those choices can influence freight rates, transit times and supply chains for companies that rely on just-in-time deliveries.

## What to watch

Key developments to monitor include any formal response from Cosco, statements from Panama Canal Authority officials, and changes in published transit schedules or toll revenues. Observers will also be watching whether other major carriers adjust their Panama Canal usage in response, and whether the situation prompts discussions between Panama and shipping line representatives about scheduling, tolls or operational coordination.

At this stage the published report from the South China Morning Post is the primary source for Panama’s request. Further reporting from Panamanian authorities and from Cosco will be needed to clarify next steps and any operational impact on canal traffic.