Panama transport and logistics outlook – June, 2010

Panama Canal


Despite global economic downturn affected sharply to world shipping industry, Panama Canal net tonnage fell by only 2.3% in 2009 due to sudden increase in dry bulk segment. In the first quarter of 2010 Panama Canal net tonnage decreased by 2.3%. However, Panama Economy Insight forecast that Panama Canal net tonnage will grow 3.7% in 2010 as a result of U.S. economy recovery.

Ports

Panama port container movement decreased by 8.8% in 2009. Port activity has recovery strongly. In the first quarter of 2010, container movement increased by 16.6%. Panama Economy Insight forecast that port container movement will growth 16.2% and 18.7% in 2011 and 2012 respectively. In 2010, ports of Panama will movement 4.9 millions of TEU’s. In 2011 and 2012 the container movement will increase by 5.8 and 6.8 millions of TEU´s.

Railway

Panama Canal Railway fell by 25% in 2009. There is not official statistics of Panama Canal railway in 2010.

Air transport

Transit passenger of the international air hub grew by 21.6% in 2009. In the first quarter of 2010 this grew 11.2%.

Value added

Despite contraction experienced by Panama Canal in the first quarter of 2010, the value added of the “transport, warehousing and telecommunication” sector grew by 10.1%, due to strong growth of telecommunications, ports and international air transport. Panama Economy Insight forecasts that the value added of “transport, warehousing and telecommunication” sector will grow by 7.6%, 9.5% and 11.2% in 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively.

Click here to see transport and logistics indicator
Click here to see transport and logistics forecast