T
he Port of Panama City has a clear vision of its role in the regional economy. In 2003, its
and warehouses in Millville. The existing
The Port’s Mexican trade is growing in vol-
facilities were quite old and very limited in
ume and in cargo value, based on the very
terms of water depths and cargo capacity.
attractive shipping connections provided
Board of Directors focused the mission
The new East Terminal facility includes
by Linea Peninsular. To accommodate the
of the Port on “building modern seaport
deeper water and a modern warehouse
expected growth of the Mexican trade, the
facilities, promoting trade, and support-
with twice the capacity of the old buildings.
Port has constructed distribution ware-
ing industrial development.” Since that
More important, there is room on the East
houses just north of town in the Port’s
time, the Port Authority has invested $150
Terminal site for a second deep berth and
Intermodal Distribution Center (IDC). Next
million in expanding and modernizing its
two more cargo warehouses.
year the Port will add an on-port container
facilities. The Port has increased its cargo activities threefold, and has been actively supporting existing industries and attract-
facilities have allowed Port Panama City,
ing new industry to the region.
USA to become one of the most modern,
Building Modern Seaport Facilities The Port Authority has consistently invest-
efficient regional Ports in the country.
Promoting Trade
freight warehouse, order a new container handling crane, and expand its container stacking yard to accommodate growth in this trade. Cargo and ship activity is the “rocket fuel” the Port needs to keep increasing the Port’s positive economic benefits in the region.
ed in improvements to increase its overall
The Port has carved out a strong niche
cargo handling capacity. Some of this is
for handling imported copper from South
not visible – such as the reinforced bulk-
America. The Port is also facilitating the
heads and the deepening of the entrance
export of forest products worldwide and is
channel and berths. Other improvements
building a valuable two-way trade of con-
have included a port-wide drainage system,
sumer products with Mexico. All of these
upgraded internal roads, new rail infrastruc-
activities are expected to grow, especially
ture, heavy paving, and high mast lighting.
the forest products exports and the trade
The Port has invested over $10 million
with Mexico.
ship’s agents, cargo forwarders, and
The East Terminal development has added
support 1,200 jobs in Bay County. It also
over 500,000 tons of new capacity for
gives the Port the resources to pursue its
handling paper, pulp, and lumber. Future
other economic development goals.
in cranes and equipment designed to effectively handle containerized cargo. The Port invested another $14 million in a bulk terminal specifically designed to handle
20
Altogether, the Port’s investment in new
This activity provides the revenues needed for the Port Authority to build and maintain its facilities and to upgrade its services. Cargo activity and ship traffic also provides the revenues needed to sustain the critical maritime infrastructure including the pilots, tug operators, stevedoring companies, Customs Officers. Cargo operations alone
wood pellets.
improvements at the East Terminal can add another 1,000,000 tons of cargo capac-
Supporting Industrial Development
The most significant investment to date is
ity. Over time, this facility can help Port
A healthy and growing Port Panama City,
the Port’s $60 million development of its
Panama City, USA become one of the most
USA is very important to a number of large
new East Terminal. This project included
important forest products export ports in
industrial Port users including Berg Pipe,
purchasing the old “Bay Harbour” docks
the country.
Oceaneering International and WestRock.
BAY B I Z / S U M M E R 2020
