Port Description

Law 5 of January 16, 1997approved the contract between the State and the Hutchison Ports Panama Ports Company, for the development, construction, operation, administration, and management of Ro-Ro, containerized, bulk, liquid and general cargo at the ports of Balboa and Cristobal.

The Panama Maritime Authority granted Panama Ports Company, S.A., Cristobal, the concession through the Addendum N°1, N°2 and N°3 to Contract Nº 309 of 24 October 1997.

Port Web Site: https://www.ppc.com.pa/

Key port information may also be found at: http://www.maritime-database.com

Port Image

Source: Image cited by Panama Maritime Authority at www.ppc.com.pa

Source: Cristobal (2020). Port Map. Retrieved on 15 March 2020 from ppc.com.pa

Description and Contacts of Key Companies 

The Port of Cristobal is managed by the Hutchinson Ports Panama Ports Company.

For more information on port contacts, please see the following link:  4.4 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List.

Port Performance

Due to the geography of the area and current market conditions, operations are carried out normally. Presently, the port is not congested.  Average waiting time upon arrival to anchorage and docking depends on the complexity of the maneuver generally taking between 20 minutes to an hour. Maximum draft is at 13.5m, specifically at Berths 7 and 10. This Port handles containerized cargo, as well as bulk and general cargo.

The terminals granted in concession sustain internal protocols and communications with the Panama Maritime Authority, Customs Authority, National Aeronaval Services, National Immigration Service and other entities involved to adequately respond to a humanitarian contingency. 

Results for 2018 and preliminary figures provided to the Statistics Department of the Panama Maritime Authority for 2019.

Berth Specifications

The port of Cristobal also has berths for the handling of general cargo, cruiseliners, tugs and grains.

Port Handling Equipment

Port equipment is managed by the concessionaire. Cristobal is equipped to handle containerized, bulk, liquid and general cargo.

Source: Assessment of Port Security achieved by the Department of Port Safety of the Directorate of Ports and Auxiliary Maritime Industries

Source: Assessment of Port Safety achieved by the Department of Port Safety of the Directorate of Ports and Auxiliary Maritime Industries.

Container Facilities

Container yard of 28 hectares with an annual capacity of approximately 2 million TEU’s, amongst other types of cargo.

Source: Assessment of Port Safety achieved by the Department of Port Safety of the Directorate of Ports and Auxiliary Maritime Industries

Customs Guidance

The National Customs Authority is responsible of the supervision, inspection and verification of activities related to the reception, loading/unloading, entry/exit, storage and transit of all cargo that enters the port. Customs services, depending on the type of operation, can take on average from 45 minutes to two (2) hours.                                                                                                             

Customs Office and Hours

Location:                     Colon City, 15th Street and Balboa, behind the Bus Terminal

Business Hours:          8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Phone:                         445-2834

Customs Area:            North

For more information about customs in Panama, please go to the following link: 1.3 Customs Information. 

Terminal Information

Multi-Purpose Terminal

PPC Cristobal has a covered area of approximately 3,700 meters of berthing space, for general cargo, cruiseliners, dry and liquid bulks, containership, and tankers.  Offering five multi-purpose berthing positions through Berths 6 and 16.  Additionally counting on two berthing positions for dry and liquid bulks at Berth 16.

Main Storage Terminal

PPC Cristobal has a container yard apt for all types of containers, and yard space to exclusively handle general cargo and steel. It is an open storage area with assigned locations for containers and bulk or loose cargo alike.  The refrigerated container area offers 1,360 reefer-outlets.

It also has a container freight station consisting of 5,400 m² of covered storage area to consolidate and deconsolidate cargo, and to handle other types of sensitive cargoes.

Stevedoring

Panama Ports Company PPC, relies on its own staff, plus sub-contracted personnel for its operations, with approximately 2,200 employees in total between the terminals of Balboa and Cristobal.

Hinterland Information

The Port of Cristobal has road access to the Colon Free Trade Zone, along with an internal rail connection, which facilitates the movement of cargo with the Port of Balboa in the Pacific. Due to its proximity to the Panama Canal and to the main roads, logistics companies offer ground transport services through an array of heavy-duty trucks and tow trucks, 18 wheelers, and specialized rolling equipment.

Source: Assessment of Port Safety achieved by the Department of Port Safety of the Directorate of Ports and Auxiliary Maritime Industries

Port Security

PPC terminal of Cristobal holds the Statement of Compliance for Port Facility under provisions of chapter XI-2 of SOLAS Convention and International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (PBIP- ISPS).

The Panama Maritime Authority sustains direct communications with the Security Staff of PPC Cristobal.   Just like PPC in Balboa, the primary threat at PPC Cristobal is the trafficking of illegal substances, and to a lesser degree port entry denial, besides stowaways.