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The final data for 2025 shows Panama’s ports handled 3.6% more containers in 2025 than the previous year, reflecting the country’s continued strength as an international trade hub.

In total, Panama ports handled 9.9 million TEUs in 2025, marking a 3.6% increase from the previous year, according to figures released Friday by the country’s Maritime Authority. It also provides a leading indicator of Panama’s economy, with trade traffic providing a steady engine for the country’s economic growth.
The SSA Marine Manzanillo International Terminal led traffic gains on the Atlantic coast, which processed 2.9 million TEUs, up 5% year over year, Global Trade magazine reports. Panama Ports Company also reported higher volumes, with its Balboa terminal handling 2.7 million TEUs, a 2% increase, while Cristobal terminal posted a 9% rise to 1.2 million TEUs. The Colon Container Terminal recorded the fastest growth, jumping 10% to 1.7 million TEUs compared with 2024.

“The growth underscores Panama’s continued importance as a global logistics hub, supported by its ports’ close integration with the Panama Canal, a critical artery linking the Pacific and Atlantic oceans,” Global Trade noted.

There was an extra twist this year: in addition to higher overall volumes, port authorities highlighted an increase in the repositioning of empty containers.

“This reaffirms the importance of the Panamanian hub as a strategic point for the redistribution of equipment in the region,” said Max Florez, general director of ports and auxiliary maritime industries.