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. It comes after its top court ruled that the operator’s contract is unconstitutional. The government on Monday ordered the Panama Maritime Authority to occupy the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals. The decree cites urgent social interest. It covers cranes, vehicles and computer systems and software. Panama’s Supreme Court has already voided the original approval law and a 2021 extension. The operator is CK Hutchison’s Panama Ports Company. It has run the terminals since 1997. Panama says APM Terminals temporarily administers the ports. CK Hutchison has started arbitration and threatened lawsuits.