Port Overview

The Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT) began operations in 1995. It is located close to the Atlantic entrance of the Panama Canal, immediately adjacent to the Colon Free Zone (CFZ) location.  The project area, known as South Coco Solo, was a naval air base of the United States during WWII, which subsequently reverted to Panama due to the Torrijos-Carter treaties of 1977. 

Port website: https://www.mitpan.com/

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

 

Port Image

Bird´s-eye view of Manzanillo Port. Source: Manzanillo International Terminal (2020). Multimedia.  Extracted 17 March 2020 from mit.pan.com

Lay-out of Manzanillo Port.  Source: Georgia Tech Panama. Photo: MIT Port. Extracted on 12 March 2020 from logistics.gatech.pa

View of container cranes at Manzanillo Port.  Source: Assessment by Port Safety achieved by the Department of Port Safety of the Directorate of Auxiliary Maritime Industries

Transtrainers at Manzanillo Ports. Assessment by Port Security achieved by the Department of Port Safety of the Directorate of Ports and Auxiliary Maritime Industries.

 

Description and key business contacts

Manzanillo International Terminal has offices in Panama City and Colon. 

Panama City Offices

Building 201 - Corozal East (next to the railway passenger station)
Omar Torrijos Herrera Avenue, Ancon

Phone: + (507) 304-8200
Fax: + (507) 304-8233

Colon City Offices, Republic of Panamá

Molten Avenue, South Coco Solo

info@mitpan.com

Phone: + (507) 430-9800
Fax: + (507) 430-9809

P.O. Box 0302-00239

Colon Free Zone

Colon, Republic of Panama

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

Port Performance

The access channel is 3 kilometers from the sea buoy.  The breakwater opening is 200 meters wide and the channel has a depth of 16.5 meters. The turning basin is 600 meters in diameter.  The waiting time from arrival to anchorage to dock varies, depending on the complexity of the maneuver on average taking from 20 minutes to an hour.  Presently the port is not congested.  Due to the geography of the area and the current market conditions, operations are being carried out normally.

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

Chart 2 – Results for 2018 and preliminary figures reported to the Statistics Department of the Panama Maritime Authority for 2019.

 

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

For more information about costs and charges, please visit the following link:

https://www.mitpan.com/informacion/reglas-de-operacion/ 

Berthing Specifications

General Cargo Handling Berths

 

Port Handling Equipment

The equipment is managed and operated by MIT.

 

 

Container Facilities  

Container facilities is mainly a stockyard for all types of containers, vehicles and heavy equipment.

 

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.  

To work with on-site customs officials, it is recommended to build a culture of teamwork with other entities, awareness on matters pertinent to industrial security and port protection.

Customs Office and Hours.

Location:         Offices inside the Manzanillo International Terminal 

Hours:              Around the Clock 24 hours 

Phone:             430-9900 ext. 9002 

Zone:                North 

For more information on Customs, please see:  1.3 Customs Information. 

 Terminal Information

Multi-Purpose Terminal  

MIT handles containerized, rolling, general and special projects cargo. In addition, it also offers containerized cargo services through container equipment maintenance (all types of repair and maintenance work on full and empty containers as well as chassis), and maintenance of refrigerated containers (continuous monitoring, inspections, preventive maintenance and repairs of containers and generators). 

 Grain and Bulk Handling

N/A 

Main Storage Terminal

Designed to store containerized, general, rolling and special projects cargo.  

 

Stevedoring 

MIT facility has on-site port equipment, as well as human resources trained to provide services of loading/unloading of cargo efficiently and safely.  Operations are managed by Manzanillo International Terminal – Panama, S.A., and has approximately 1,270 employees.

 

Hinterland Information

MIT has 3 entrance lanes and 3 exit lanes.  It also has a gate with direct access to the Colon Free Zone, specifically to France Field (largest warehouse holding area) enabling import and export movement through 2 entrance lanes and 2 exit lanes. The port also provides access to the railroad through an inter-modal ramp which has 2 entrance lanes and 2 exit lanes. Common modes of ground transport for cargo transportation include unit trucks, mule trucks, and variety of heavy equipment.

Port Security 

MIT 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 regular follow-ups with MIT’s Protection Staff. As per the latest statistics the potential threats to MIT are the trafficking of illicit substances, port entry denial and stowaways.  This port installation invests in next generation protection equipment for access control and monitoring of operations.