Panama Maritime Chamber Rejects New Container Fees, Citing Competitiveness Concerns

Panama's vital role as a global logistics hub is under threat from a proposed bill that seeks to impose new fees on container movement and related port services. The Maritime Chamber of Panama (CMP) has voiced strong opposition to this legislative initiative, arguing that it would undermine the country's competitive edge in the region. The bill, aimed at creating a fund to supplement the income of low-earning retirees, has raised alarms within the maritime industry, which fears a potential loss of cargo volume and a diversion of trade to rival hubs.

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Panama competes directly with other 'hubs' in the region for the same cargo flows, so any increase in the total cost of moving containers through the country can translate into a loss of volume, diversion of cargo, and weakening of the national competitive position.

Industry associations, including the National Maritime Association of Panama (Mapa), have detailed the proposed charges, which include $10 per TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) and an additional $10 per container for fumigation. These fees, they argue, are not present in other major logistics hubs worldwide and lack any associated logistical value. The concern is that Panama would be introducing additional costs in a highly competitive business where every dollar counts, potentially making it less attractive for shipping lines and cargo owners.

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imposes charges of 10 dollars per TEU (container) plus an additional 10 dollars per container for fumigation, a measure that 'represents a serious setback for the country's logistics competitiveness'.

The CMP and Mapa are urging the National Assembly to reconsider the bill and engage in immediate technical dialogue with the sector. They emphasize the need for a thorough review of the proposal's legal, regulatory, and operational implications, particularly its compatibility with existing maritime laws and the competencies of the Panama Maritime Authority. Despite a slight increase in container movement in 2025, the industry fears that these new charges could reverse positive trends and weaken Panama's strategic position as a transit point for international trade, especially given the critical importance of the Panama Canal.

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In the main 'hubs' in the region and the world, there are no per-container charges to finance social policies, generalized fumigation schemes on transit cargo are not applied, and costs are integrated into efficient logistics services.