Panama's government has seized control of the Balboa and Cristobal ports, previously operated by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison's subsidiary, following a Supreme Court ruling. The White House welcomed the move as aligning with Donald Trump's vision for the canal, while CK Hutchison condemned it as unlawful. The company ceased operations after officials entered the sites without invitation.
In January 2026, Panama's Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional the law approving the concession for Panama Ports Company (PPC), a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings. On February 23, 2026, the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) took over the Balboa port on the Pacific side and Cristobal port on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal, acting on a presidential decree citing “reasons of urgent social interest”. The decree authorizes AMP to occupy and operate the ports and seize movable assets, including cranes, vehicles, computer systems, and software, to ensure uninterrupted operations.
Alberto Aleman Zubieta, head of the technical transition team, said AMP had taken possession of both ports via decree to maintain continuity once the ruling was formally published. At a press conference, he stated: “Two separate contracts are being presented to the Board of Directors of the AMP, one for the Port of Balboa and one for the Port of Cristobal, instead of a single contract for both ports.”
CK Hutchison issued a statement on February 24, describing the takeover as “the culmination of a campaign by the Panama State against PPC and the concession contract over the past year”. The company said government representatives “arrived without invitation” and made “direct physical entry” into the ports, informing PPC that the concession “no longer exists” and ordering an immediate halt to operations. It noted that prior actions by the Panamanian state had made continued operations impossible, leading PPC to cease all activities at the terminals on February 23, 2026.
The White House welcomed the move, stating it asserts Panama's sovereignty and aligns with Donald Trump's vision for the canal. CK Hutchison, led by the family of tycoon Li Ka-shing, called the takeover unlawful.
