Nearshoring emerges as a key strategy for global companies looking to move their factories closer to the continental United States territory, driven by the need to balance costs, improve efficiencies, and minimize risks in a competitive market. With the rise of digitalization and sustainability, this practice promises to establish itself as the norm across multiple sectors. The Colon Free Zone in Panama stands out as a privileged destination for nearshoring, being the largest free zone in the hemisphere and the second-largest worldwide, ideal for Asian companies aiming to expand into the Nor ..read more

  It is estimated that more than 80% of world trade is carried out by sea. This fact clearly explains the impact of the prices of containers and their transport on most of the products offered in Latin America. One of the causes of global inflation is beginning to subside. After a significant increase after the pandemic, ocean freight rates are down. But while shipping rates are trending down, they’re still nowhere near pre-pandemic levels given the pretty high numbers they’ve been seeing. In Latin America, the situation varies from one country to another and for small or giant companies ..read more

  The increase in freight rates seems not to change in the near future, there are 3 determining factors that have created the perfect storm affecting the logistics sector worldwide. In this article we will explain each of those factors. 1. Lack of space in Asian ports: The Asia – US route had an increase of more than 200% compared to 2020, this growth has required a greater volume of space in Asian ports and is given priority since its costs They are superior to other routes, directly affecting Latin America and the Caribbean. 2. Stagnation in world ports: Due to the sanitary measures ta ..read more

The saying “In every crisis there is an opportunity” is well known. China is going through a humanitarian, economic and commercial crisis caused by the COVID-19 coronavirus, commercially its factories are paralyzed and they are not producing or sending merchandise to supply the businesses in the world. This unique crisis opens an opportunity in America for the Colon Free Zone, since in this world trade center there are large suppliers that have available inventory to meet the growing demand for endless products. It is a unique moment to strengthen commercial ties with old and new buyers. It i ..read more

Because of the current trade war between Washington and Beijing, trading companies that ship cargo from China to USA and re-export their goods to Latin American buyers, are facing an increased cost due to import tariff. The increased resale price of the product has a solution: Colon Free Zone in Panama. Companies that are trading goods in Colon Free Zone, Panama, are not subject to pay import tariff or export taxes. Not even income tax if the trading company is established in Panama or any other country with similar tax law. Colon Free Zone operation costs are lower for warehousing rent and l ..read more

  The balance of the Panama Canal for 2018 is positive. In total, the tonnage moved through the isthmus was 9.5% higher, compared to the previous year, when the procedures had already reached 22% more. The balance of the Panama Canal for 2018 is positive. In total, the tonnage moved through the isthmus was 9.5% higher, compared to the previous year, when the procedures had already reached 22% more. The data was provided by the administrator of the Panama Canal, Jorge Luis Quijano, who took stock of the activity carried out in 2018 before the media in his country. One of the star items an ..read more

The Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI) presented its management report highlighting the effort to attract greater foreign investment, promoting growth of 15% for two consecutive years and an increase of 9.2% in the first quarter of 2018, with strategies such as promotion of Panama through Panama Invest and the strengthening of the Investment Attraction Agency (Proinvex). The Minister of Commerce and Industries, Néstor González, highlighted that projects of great impact have been carried out for the country’s economy and the generation of jobs such as the Colón Puerto Libre system, the ..read more

With an advance of 35%, the Panama Colón Container Port (PCCP) project, the first Chinese investment bet of its developers in all of Latin America, promises to be the most modern port terminal in the country, aimed at strengthening the Panamanian port-logistics platform. Jorge Serrano, executive director of PCCP, explained that the project developed by Asian investors Shanghai Gorgeous Group and Landbridge Group, will occupy a space of 37 hectares in the province of Colón and will be designed to receive Panamax, NeoPanamax, Super Post-Panamax and Multipurpose Vessels. With the capacity to mov ..read more