Business leaders from Costa Rica have formally expressed interest in using Panama’s new Puerto Armuelles multipurpose wharf for import and export operations. President José Raúl Mulino announced the development during his weekly press conference on January 15, 2026, revealing the project is now 65 percent complete and on schedule for a July 2027 operational launch.
This international interest from a neighboring country adds significant momentum to the strategic port development in Panama’s western Barú district. The president noted the Costa Rican inquiry was made directly to the Panama Maritime Authority. It follows earlier expressions of interest from a major Japanese maritime firm, one considered among the most relevant globally in the sector.
“The project presents an advance of 65% and its entry into operation is planned for July 2027,” President Mulino stated. [Translated from Spanish]
Representatives from the Japanese firm are expected to participate in a logistical cabinet meeting the Executive Branch plans to hold in Barú this February. That meeting aims to evaluate opportunities and coordinate actions with national and international actors focused on port development in the region.
Strategic Development for Western Panama
Authorities conceive the infrastructure as a strategic project for the logistical, productive, and economic development of western Panama. The port will handle deep-draft vessels, including Panamax type ships, significantly expanding cargo handling capacity. This capability will facilitate the movement of agricultural products, industrial goods, and regional transit merchandise.
Officials from the Panama Maritime Authority have repeatedly stated the project’s core goal. They aim to slash logistical costs for producers in the country’s western provinces by bringing export points closer to the productive zones of Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro. The development is not just a simple port. It includes areas designated for storage, processing, and merchandise distribution alongside spaces for industrial activities and complementary services.
This diversification of operations is key to transforming the area into a comprehensive logistics hub. The project directly targets job creation and aims to stimulate regional economic activity far beyond traditional port functions. Consolidating Puerto Armuelles as a logistics center could reshape trade dynamics in the region.
“The objective is to consolidate Puerto Armuelles as a logistical center with the capacity to generate employment and energize regional economic activity,” Mulino added. [Translated from Spanish]
The government’s push for this port aligns with broader economic strategies for growth. It also comes amid increasing regional trade integration, with neighboring nations like Costa Rica actively seeking efficient logistics solutions. The formal interest from Costa Rican businesses validates the project’s regional appeal and commercial potential.
Construction Progress and Future Timeline
With construction nearly two-thirds finished, the focus now shifts toward the final development phase and operational planning. The upcoming logistical cabinet meeting in February represents a critical next step. It will serve as a platform for direct dialogue between the Panamanian government and potential international partners.
This follows a memorandum of understanding signed in September 2025 between the Panama Maritime Authority and two Japanese maritime companies. Those firms also showed interest in developing the project using their specific capacities and experiences. The combination of regional business interest and global maritime expertise provides a strong foundation for the port’s future.
The infrastructure’s design as a multipurpose wharf is central to its economic model. By accommodating a wide variety of vessels and cargo types, it positions itself as a flexible and competitive option for shippers. Its location offers a potential alternative or complement to other regional ports, promising to reduce transit times and costs for western Panamanian exports.
Project managers are working toward the mid-2027 launch date. Meeting this deadline would realize a long-planned vision to boost economic output in Panama’s western provinces. The international attention, confirmed at the presidential level, suggests the port could become a major node in Central American supply chains much sooner than anticipated.