By Micah Jonah
February 1, 2026
Danish shipping giant, Maersk will take over operations of Panama Canal ports following a Supreme Court ruling that declared contracts held by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison unconstitutional.
The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) said Maersk’s APM Terminals will serve as “temporary administrator” for the Balboa and Cristobal ports on either end of the canal. CK Hutchison had managed the ports since 1997 under a concession renewed in 2021.
The court ruling cited “disproportionate bias” in favour of CK Hutchison, comes after repeated warnings from U.S. President, Donald Trump regarding the strategic waterway, which he claimed was effectively controlled by China.
The Panama Canal handles roughly 40 percent of U.S. container shipping traffic and five percent of global trade. Washington welcomed the court decision, while China vowed to protect its companies’ interests.
Tens of thousands of workers constructed the 82-kilometer waterway, which has been under Panamanian control since 1999.
