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Hutchison’s Panama ports deal

Hutchison’s Panama ports deal
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Hutchison’s Panama ports deal. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun on Monday warned the US to “stop disrupting and sabotaging China-Panama relations”. Photo: dpa
China-Latin America relations

Beijing threatens ‘serious consequences’ after Panama lawmakers support Taiwan

Parliamentary exchange group set up despite pressure from China’s embassy and public disavowal by Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino.

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Americas and the Caribbean

New Panama Canal chief says El Nino could force further transit cuts

Panama

Asian shipper pays record US$5.3 million for Panama Canal access

Hong Kong economy

CK Hutchison’s HK$11.7b Panama ports dispute could take years to resolve

Latest claim by Li Ka-shing family-backed conglomerate and separate subsidiary action bring total demands over the takeover to more than HK$27.3 billion.

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CK Hutchison has launched arbitration against Panama, seeking more than HK$11.7 billion over the country’s takeover of the Balboa and Cristobal terminals. Photo: AP
The Hong Kong conglomerate says Panama’s takeover of the Balboa and Cristobal terminals breached an investment-protection treaty. Photo: Elson Li
Hong Kong economy

CK Hutchison says ‘forced termination’ of Panama ports cut 1% off throughput

Despite Panama exit, port business’ earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation up 4 per cent to HK$9.03 billion in first half.

Hong Kong property

CK Hutchison Holdings reports 31-fold surge in first-half profit

Global environment in the first half of 2026 was ‘exceptionally turbulent and uncertain’, says chairman Victor Li Tzar-kuoi.

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US-China relations

The new Panama? Why Nicaragua could be next front in US-China influence battle

Beijing could move to build an alternative to the Panama Canal in Nicaragua, before the US gets involved, scholar warns.

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A vessel transits the Panama Canal. China could move to build a rival waterway in Nicaragua, as it looks to counter pressure from the United States. Photo: Reuters
China-Latin America relations

US’ Cuba-China fears, Panama pressure: Latin America relations reads

From Argentina’s shrinking China lifeline to the US’ Cuba worries, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in May 2026.

China-Latin America relations

Panama rejects US pressure claims as it seeks to ease China tensions

Panamanian president looks to defuse issues with Beijing as South American country attempts to renew key China maritime agreement.

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Panama

China warns against ‘third party’ influence as Panama Canal port dispute simmers

Wang Yi also says Beijing ready to deepen cooperation with Panama City amid US pressure over operation of ports.

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Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meet on the sidelines of a high-level United Nations Security Council meeting in New York on Tuesday. Photo: China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
China-Latin America relations

Panama encourages dialogue at UN as canal tensions with China simmer

Panama’s foreign minister uses UN speech to help defuse tension after deterioration in Panama-China relations due to canal dispute.

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Containers sit at the Balboa terminal, formerly run by CK Hutchison’s Panama Ports, after the Panama government ordered the occupation of the port following a court ruling that the concession was unconstitutional. Photo: AP
China-Latin America relations

Panama minister slams China ship crackdown, tells deputies in Beijing: push back

Foreign minister says court ruling must not be used as leverage against Panama’s merchant fleet as ship detentions mount.

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China energy security

China orders maritime security research as Hormuz crisis exposes trade risks

The research agenda will also focus on safeguarding port access and critical mineral investments amid rising threats to global trade.

China-Latin America relations

Rubio raises concerns over China’s detention of Panama-flagged ships

Panama’s decision to strip Panama Ports Company of its concessions is a test of US backing for countries challenging China, experts say.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Paris last month. Photo: Reuters
China-Latin America relations

China denies retaliating against Panama ships, accuses Washington of canal grab

US body says Beijing’s inspections of Panama-flagged ships exceed historical norms and may be reprisals over ousted Hong Kong operator.

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People work on a construction project at the Port of Balboa, managed by Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Holdings, at the entrance to the Panama Canal in February. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong economy

CK Hutchison expands Panama ports claim as losses ‘surpass’ US$2 billion

Subsidiary Panama Ports Company slams Panamanian government’s ‘attack campaign’ as it expands international arbitration claim over damages.

Hong Kong economy

Panama⁠ accuses CK Hutchison subsidiary of lying about arbitration response

President Jose Raul Mulino slams Panama Ports Company for accusing country of failing to file response to arbitration request.

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Hong Kong economy

CK Hutchison vows to pursue ‘all legal remedies’ over seized Panama ports

Group says diversified network could benefit from higher storage revenue as inventory demand rises amid Strait of Hormuz crisis.

Cristobal port was seized by Panamanian authorities in February. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong economy

CK Hutchison subsidiary slams Panama for missing arbitration deadline

Panama Ports Company also confirms offices were raided by alleged ‘armed security forces’ and accuses authorities of disregarding rule of law.

China trade

Papers please: China raises pressure on Panama with ship inspection wave

Intensified inspections for Panama-flagged vessels – among the world’s most common registrations – retaliation for canal port seizure, source says.

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Hong Kong politics

Panama urges Chinese shipping giant Cosco to resume operations at canal

Minister for Canal Affairs Jose Ramon Icaza says Cosco’s 4 per cent of cargo transshipped in Balboa is ‘significant’ and hopes company returns.

State-owned Cosco owns one of the world’s largest tanker fleets. Photo: AFP
US-China trade war

China summons Maersk, MSC on shipping operations amid Panama saga, Iran war

Beijing gave no reason for order – but both firms at centre of dispute after Panama ruled against CK Hutchison’s operation of two ports.

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The main entrance of the port of Balboa in Panama City, taken on February 12. Panama Ports Company (PPC), a subsidiary of Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings, is seeking US$2 billion in damages from the Panamanian government over what it described as the “illegal takeover” of the operations of two ports at either end of the strategic canal. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong economy

CK Hutchison subsidiary seeks US$2 billion for Panama’s takeover of canal ports

Panama Ports Company says it has submitted claim for arbitration in compliance with rules of International Chamber of Commerce.

Hong Kong economy

CK Hutchison escalates legal action over Panama ports seizure

Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing’s conglomerate accuses Panama authorities of ignoring requests for communication and keeping group in the dark.

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Hong Kong politics

CK Hutchison subsidiary slams Panama over ‘unnotified intrusion’ at storage site

Panama Ports Company accuses Panamanian authorities of undermining due process with raid, slams earlier takeover of canal ports as ‘illegal’.

A subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings previously operated two ports at either end of the Panama Canal before the country took over. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong economy

Panama raids CK Hutchison subsidiary office, days after taking over canal ports

Panamanian media says local authorities searched office of Panama Ports Company, which operated Balboa and Cristobal ports until this week.

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Panamanian police search a Panama Ports Company office. Photo Reuters
CK Hutchison

Opinion | Panama’s ports grab may be politically expedient, but at what cost?

In global logistics, reliability is currency. When commitments become provisional, the cost is measured not only in legal fees but in confidence.

China-Latin America relations

Panama ousts Hong Kong operator from canal ports in ruling backed by Washington

White House says Panama’s move to assert sovereignty over Balboa and Cristobal aligns with Donald Trump’s vision for the canal.

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