Panama took over Balboa and Cristobal ports from CK Hutchison, citing an unconstitutional contract, with temporary management by APM Terminals and MSC.

Panama has taken control of the Balboa and Cristobal ports on the Panama Canal from CK Hutchison, a Hong Kong-based company, after the Supreme Court declared the 1997 concession contract unconstitutional. The government took over operational management, citing the need for legal compliance and port continuity, and initiated a temporary 18-month transition in which APM Terminals (Maersk) and Terminal Investment Limited (MSC) managed the facilities. CK Hutchison condemned the move as illegal and threatened legal action, while Hong Kong and China voiced strong opposition, warning of the consequences for businesses. Panama insists that the action is not an expropriation and that operations and jobs will continue uninterrupted. The decision reflects the broader geopolitical tensions between the United States and China over global trade infrastructure.