Panama Canal Opens Prequalification for 47-Mile Energy Pipeline, Port Projects
The Panama Canal Authority has opened prequalification for a 47-mile energy pipeline and new container port terminals on both coasts, advancing plans to expand fuel transport capacity and intermodal logistics infrastructure.
(P&GJ) — The Panama Canal Authority has published prequalification documents for two strategic initiatives, including the development of an energy corridor pipeline and the construction of container port terminals on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
The documents, released through the Panama Canal’s online procurement system, allow interested parties to submit required information for review by a technical evaluation board as the authority moves toward selecting future concessionaires.
Approval to publish the prequalification documents was granted by the Panama Canal Board of Directors following a market engagement process led by the Complementary Business Committee. The process included group conferences and one-on-one meetings with industry representatives.
Initial outreach meetings were held on Sept. 18 with energy sector companies to discuss the pipeline initiative and on Oct. 27 with maritime industry representatives regarding the port terminal projects. Follow-up meetings were conducted to collect technical feedback, validate market assumptions and refine the selection documentation.
Energy corridor pipeline
The energy corridor initiative includes an approximately 76-kilometer (47-mile) pipeline with access to terminals on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The pipeline is designed to transport propane, butane and ethane, with an estimated capacity of up to 2.5 million barrels per day. The project would not require transit through the canal’s locks and would not involve additional water consumption.
As part of market engagement for the pipeline initiative, the Panama Canal Authority held meetings with a range of energy, infrastructure and investment firms, including ENEOS, Energy Transfer, ExxonMobil, Enterprise Products Partners, Chevron, Fortress Investment Group, Gyxis Corporation, Itochu Corporation, NMDC Group, Vopak, Astomos Energy, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Iwatani, I Squared, Movement Industries, Otamerica Oiltanking America, Phillips 66, SK Gas, Sumitomo Corporation, SMBC Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Targa Resources, Ultranav and ONEOK.
Container port terminals
The second initiative includes the development of two container port terminals, one on the Atlantic coast and one on the Pacific coast. The project aims to increase Panama’s national transshipment capacity to between 5.0 million and 6.0 million TEUs per year and strengthen the country’s position as a globally competitive intermodal logistics hub.
Meetings related to the port terminal projects were held with representatives from APM Terminals, Cosco Shipping Ports, CMA Terminals, DP World, Hanseatic Global Terminals, MOL, PSA International, SSA Marine-Grupo Carrix, Terminal Investment Limited, ONE and Evergreen.
Land acquisition and strategic vision
To secure land needed for strategic development, the Panama Canal Board of Directors authorized a real estate purchase with the Nation through the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The transaction is intended to support initiatives aimed at strengthening Panama’s intermodal logistics hub.
The authority said the projects incorporate social and environmental considerations from the outset, reflecting a multisector approach to infrastructure development in areas surrounding the canal on both coasts.
Both initiatives fall under the Panama Canal Authority’s Strategic Vision 2025-2035, which focuses on diversifying services, strengthening operational resilience and reinforcing Panama’s role as a global logistics hub.