Panama has 26 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database and serves as a strategically located maritime and transshipment hub linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Compare port codes, regional coverage, indicative throughput and shipping options for Panama.
Panama’s port system supports container transshipment, canal-related logistics, bulk cargo and regional distribution. Database coverage and international port rankings are separate measures and should not be treated as interchangeable.
How many seaports does Panama have?
Panama has 26 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight as of the October 2026 database snapshot. This is an indexed-coverage figure, not a statutory count of every waterfront facility.
Which port is the largest or busiest in Panama?
Panama’s principal container gateways are generally associated with Balboa and Manzanillo International Terminal. The current indexed sample includes Jebel Ali (AEJEA) and Dubai (AEDXB); these records should be verified against the latest country-code master before booking.
Which regions handle most Panama cargo?
The main freight concentration is around the Panama Canal corridor, including the Pacific-side Panama City area and the Atlantic-side Colón area. Container transshipment and canal-linked distribution typically account for the largest share of international liner activity.
The table below separates global throughput league-table information from Ecer Freight’s indexed-port coverage. Publicly comparable 2025 figures are not available for all indexed records and should be confirmed with the carrier or terminal.
Selected indexed port records and available 2025 throughput indicators
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Jebel Ali | AEJEA | — | — | Panama Canal corridor; record verification required |
| — | Dubai | AEDXB | — | — | Panama Canal corridor; record verification required |
| — | Abu Dhabi | AEAUH | — | — | Panama Canal corridor; record verification required |
| — | Sharjah | AESHJ | — | — | Panama Canal corridor; record verification required |
| — | Abu Dhabi | AEABD | — | — | Panama Canal corridor; record verification required |
| — | Sharjah | AESJH | — | — | Panama Canal corridor; record verification required |
Panama’s commercial port geography is generally organized around the Pacific entrance, the Atlantic entrance and canal-linked logistics zones. The indexed records below are reproduced from the supplied database sample and require country-code validation before operational use.
Pacific-side facilities typically support container handling, transshipment and cargo serving Panama City and the canal approach.
Indexed records associated with the main logistics corridor
Atlantic-side facilities generally serve Caribbean, North American and European connections and canal-related distribution.
Indexed records requiring operational verification
Canal-linked logistics commonly combine ocean transshipment, bonded warehousing, feeder services and onward distribution across the Caribbean and Latin America.
Operational planning note
UN/LOCODEs identify locations used in international trade documentation. A code should be checked against the current country assignment and terminal record before it is entered on a bill of lading or customs document.
A Panama UN/LOCODE normally begins with the ISO2 prefix PA followed by a three-character location code. The supplied indexed sample contains AE-prefixed records, so those entries require correction or confirmation before being treated as Panama codes.
A city-level code may represent a broad commercial location, while a terminal-level code can identify a specific facility or operating point. Carrier schedules, bills of lading and port community systems may use different levels of granularity.
Verify the country prefix and location record through the UNECE UN/LOCODE directory and compare it with the searchable Ecer Freight port database before requesting a quotation.
Transit times are indicative and depend on port pair, service rotation, transshipment, equipment availability, canal conditions, customs requirements and carrier scheduling.
Regular container services connect Panama’s canal gateways with the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Atlantic and Mediterranean services support exports, imports and transshipment between Panama and European markets.
Asia–Panama services are important for manufactured goods, machinery, consumer products and transshipment cargo.
Feeder and regional services distribute cargo from Panama to Caribbean, Central American and South American markets.
The page distinguishes first-party indexed coverage from official statistics and international throughput comparisons. Figures may use different definitions, reporting periods and terminal boundaries.
Panama has 26 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the October 2026 snapshot. The figure describes database coverage and is not a legal count of every facility.
Balboa and Manzanillo International Terminal are generally regarded as Panama’s leading container gateways, subject to the reporting period and whether transshipment or local cargo is measured.
A Panama UN/LOCODE normally starts with PA followed by three location characters. The country prefix should be checked against UNECE and the carrier’s booking system.
The Pacific entrance, Atlantic entrance and Panama Canal logistics corridor are the principal areas for container handling, transshipment and regional distribution.
The database coverage was reviewed for October 2026. Official throughput and operational information follows the latest complete reporting year available, generally 2025, and is subject to quarterly review.
Yes. Shipment details such as origin, destination, cargo type, container size, weight, ready date and Incoterms are normally required for a reliable quotation.
Yes. The port name, UN/LOCODE, terminal, carrier service and bill-of-lading instructions should be checked together, particularly where a database record appears to have a country-prefix mismatch.
Editorial note: This Panama guide combines Ecer Freight’s first-party port index with public information from the Panama Maritime Authority, Panama Canal Authority, UNECE and international maritime data sources. Indexed coverage is reviewed quarterly; throughput, rankings, schedules and port operating conditions remain subject to source updates and carrier confirmation.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Panama: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact
