In 2019, the National Port System of Panama had a total movement of 7.3 million TEU’s, characterized mainly by transshipment of cargo representing 86%, whereas 14% is attributed to local cargo (imports and exports).  Ports with the greatest movement in the system are located in the Pacific and Atlantic entrances of the Panama Canal, consisting of five, that are as follows:  Balboa and PSA Panama (Pacific); and Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT), Cristobal and Colon Container Terminal or CCT (Atlantic).  For 2019, the conglomerate of the Atlantic ranked first in the movement ranking of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.

In addition, the system is composed yet by a sixth cargo containerized port known as the Bocas Fruit Company terminal, located in the interior of the country in the Province of Bocas del Toro (Almirante), dedicated to the export of bananas. 

The National Port System is composed of private and state ports.  Private ones focus on international cargo movement and have been granted by the State to port operators through concessions.  State ports operate under the administration of the Panama Maritime Authority and are mainly dedicated to the mooring and cabotage of ships.

For more information about the Panama Port System and statistics about freight movements, please visit: https://amp.gob.pa/estadistica/