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Panama may soon expand its role in the global maritime industry. Royal Caribbean Group has proposed building a floating dry dock in Puerto Armuelles, in western Panama. This project could transform the area into an important center for cruise ship maintenance in the region.

The proposal was presented to President José Raúl Mulino, outlining plans to develop a repair platform in the Punta Piedra area capable of servicing large vessels.

The dry dock would have capacity for ships of up to 130,000 tons and an approximate length of 400 meters, allowing cruise ships to be lifted completely out of the water for technical repairs. The facility would initially serve Royal Caribbean’s own fleet, though it could later expand to support other vessels operating in the region.

Today, many cruise ships must travel to Asia for major repairs. A facility in Panama would allow ships operating in the Americas to carry out maintenance much closer to their main routes, strengthening the country’s position as a maritime service hub.

The project is expected to develop in phases between 2026 and 2031 and could generate between 500 and 800 jobs, bringing new economic activity to the district of Barú in the province of Chiriquí, an area that has faced economic challenges since the decline of its historic banana industry.

Local workforce training is also part of the plan, with the government exploring programs to prepare residents for technical and maritime industry jobs.

If the project moves forward, it would represent another step in Panama’s broader evolution as one of the world’s most strategic maritime and logistics hubs, building on the country’s long-standing role centered on the Panama Canal.