Panama's container traffic grew 3.6 per cent in 2025 to 9.9 million TEU, the Maritime Authority said. The country's ports feed into the Panama Canal, a vital link between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, reports Melbourne's Baird Maritime.

The SSA Marine Manzanillo International Terminal on the Atlantic coast handled 2.9 million TEU, up five per cent from 2024. Panama Ports Company's Balboa terminal moved 2.7 million TEU, a two per cent rise, while its Cristobal terminal saw traffic climb nine per cent to 1.2 million TEU.

Colon Container Terminal posted the largest increase, handling 1.7 million TEU, a 10 per cent jump compared to 2024. Panama International Terminal was the only facility to record a decline, moving 1.4 million TEU, down two per cent.

"We also saw an increase in the repositioning of empty containers, which reaffirms the importance of the Panamanian hub as a strategic point for redistribution of equipment in the region," said Max Florez, general director of ports and auxiliary maritime industries.