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US Monitoring Surge In China's Detention
Of Panama-Flagged Vessels

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Posted By: earlybird, 3/29/2026 11:26:00 AM

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission on March 26 accused China of detaining Panama-flagged vessels in response to Panama’s termination of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison’s concessions for two key ports.Panama’s Supreme Court ruled in late January that the concessions held by Panama Ports Company, a unit of CK Hutchison, for the Balboa and Cristobal terminals in the Panama Canal were unconstitutional. The ruling followed an audit by Panama’s comptroller, which alleged irregularities in the 25-year extension of the concession granted in 2021. Following the ruling, Panama named U.S. subsidiaries Maersk APM Terminals and Mediterranean Shipping ​Company’s (MSC) Terminal Investment Limited as interim operators of the ports under 18-month contracts.

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Reply 1 - Posted by: DVC 3/29/2026 11:30:01 AM (No. 2086315)
Others can play this game. How about no Chinese flagged vessels passing through the Panama Canal, at any price?
3 people like this.

Reply 2 - Posted by: DVC 3/29/2026 1:16:47 PM (No. 2086350)
"Panamanian flagged" vessels are rarely actually connected to Panama in any significant monetary sense. It is a "flag of convenience", where the registry is cheap, meaning low taxes by Panama and minimal inspection for various safety and other issues which can be inconvenient when registering in first world countries. I suspect that the dollar impact on Panama of these vessels being captured is very minimal, and unlikely to have any substantial effect on Panama's policies towards China, except possibly make them less inclined to be friendly with the Chinese thugocracy.
1 person likes this.

Reply 3 - Posted by: PrayerWarrior 3/29/2026 1:28:48 PM (No. 2086355)
Can you imagine what the outcome would be if Kamala were president. China would still be in control of the Panama Canal and the US would be in a losing position worldwide. What a scary thought!
1 person likes this.

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US Monitoring Surge In China's Detention
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3 replies
Posted by earlybird 3/29/2026 11:26:00 AM Post Reply
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission on March 26 accused China of detaining Panama-flagged vessels in response to Panama’s termination of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison’s concessions for two key ports.Panama’s Supreme Court ruled in late January that the concessions held by Panama Ports Company, a unit of CK Hutchison, for the Balboa and Cristobal terminals in the Panama Canal were unconstitutional. The ruling followed an audit by Panama’s comptroller, which alleged irregularities in the 25-year extension of the concession granted in 2021. Following the ruling, Panama named U.S. subsidiaries Maersk APM Terminals and Mediterranean Shipping ​Company’s (MSC) Terminal Investment Limited as interim operators of the ports under 18-month contracts.
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