Panama controls two ports on its channel to reduce Chinese influence
On Monday, the Panamanian authorities seized control of two ports located on The Panama Canal, after the Supreme Court revoked the concession granted to the group "C. K. Hutchison" Which is based in Hong Kong.
The General Authority of the Supreme Court announced last January "Unconstitutionality" The contract under which the group operated the ports of Balboa on the Pacific Ocean and Cristobal on the Atlantic.
It requested "C. K. Hutchison" On Thursday, the Panamanian government asked the Panamanian government to conduct negotiations to enable it to continue operating these two terminals, and a company spokesman on Friday saw the necessity of negotiation in order to avoid chaos.
An 18-month transition period
The director of the ports, Max Flores, announced in a press conference on Monday that "Maritime Authority at Panama has taken control of its ports and ensured their continuity of operation"
He added that "Seizure decree" It marks the beginning of an 18-month transitional period, during which time two other companies will take over the management of the two ports until they are awarded after a new international tender.
Panama announced the decision, which undermines Chinese influence in this strategic sea corridor is that IBM Terminals, a subsidiary of the giant Danish shipping group Maersk, will temporarily take over the management of the two ports.
Panama President Jose Raul Molinho previously said that discussions are ongoing with a branch of the Maersk Group. "Which has expressed its willingness to operate the two ports temporarily and has the necessary experience to do so"
Beijing and Washington’s rivalry
With Beijing and Washington competing for global influence, container ports have gained great value, especially those located in geopolitically strategic locations such as the Panama Canal.
A few days after the US President Donald Trump During his second term, he threatened to restore the canal that the United States built and handed over to Panama in 1999 to prevent China from controlling it.
But Panama rejected statements about China’s actual control over the canal, through which 40% of American container traffic passes, but at the same time it took measures to appease Trump.
The company sought to sell its ports in the Panama Canal to a consortium led by the American asset management company BlackRock.
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