The Latest Breaking News from Panama Canal

As U.S.-Iran War Continues, Strait of Hormuz Closure Drives Surge in Panama Canal Traffic

The increase in traffic and revenue generated through the auctions suggests revenue growth for the Panama Canal could reach between 10% and 15%, officials say.

Latin Times · May 15

The Iran war has turned the world's shipping straits into a chessboard—and the U.S. aims to box out China from the Panama Canal to the Malacca Strait

As the war over the Strait of Hormuz wages on, the U.S. is quietly gaining more influence over the Panama Canal and the straits of Malacca and Gibraltar.

Fortune · May 2

Rubio just drew a red line for China in Latin America after Panama-flagged ships mysteriously vanished in the canal

Marco Rubio just issued a sharp warning to China, declaring that “the sovereignty of our hemisphere is non-negotiable” after the U.S. and five Latin American allies accused Beijing of detaining Panama-flagged ships in a dispute over control of the Panama Canal. The confrontation by the Secretary of State escalated into…

The Mary Sue · May 1

Iran war and rising fuel costs could boost Panama Canal traffic, administrator says

The Panama Canal's administrator says the war in the Middle East and higher fuel prices make the canal more appealing for shippers

The Independent UK · Mar 13

Hong Kong firm seeks $2 billion over Panama's takeover of 2 key canal ports

A subsidiary of a Hong Kong-based company that has lost control of two critical ports on the Panama Canal says it is seeking $2 billion of compensation in damages from Panama over its “illegal” takeover of the ports

The Independent UK · Mar 7

Far from random, China’s global port network is clustering near the world’s riskiest trade routes

In late February 2026, the Panamanian government took control of two ports in the Panama Canal that had been operated by a Hong Kong conglomerate for two decades. The move is the latest in a long-simmering legal battle after Panama’s high court voided the company’s contracts.

The Conversation · Mar 4

2 Panama Canal ports have dragged Panama into a tussle between superpowers

Two ports run for years by a Hong Kong-based company at either end of the Panama Canal have thrust Panama into a geopolitical tug-of-war between the United States and China

The Independent UK · Feb 27

Panamanian investigators remove documents from offices of company that ran canal ports

Panamanian investigators have carried documents out of offices belonging to a Hong Kong-owned company that operated ports at either end of the Panama Canal until its concession was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court last month

The Independent UK · Feb 27

Hong Kong protests after Panama takes control of 2 key ports on the Panama Canal

Hong Kong protests after Panama takes control of two key ports on the Panama Canal once run by a Hong Kong company

The Independent UK · Feb 24

Panama orders occupation of 2 key canal ports after Supreme Court ruling

Panama has ordered the occupation of two key ports at the ends of the Panama Canal

The Independent UK · Feb 23