Panama Wrests Control of Canal Ports From Hong Kong Group

Panamanian maritime authorities on February 23, 2026, took control of two ports on the Panama Canal from Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison after its concession was annulled following pressure from the United States. Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP

Panamanian authorities took control Monday of two ports on the Panama Canal from CK Hutchison after the Hong Kong-based conglomerate’s concession was annulled amid a row between the United States and China.

“The Panama Maritime Authority has taken possession of its ports and guarantees the continuity of operations,” an official said after the Panamanian Supreme Court annulled Hutchison’s contracts to operate the ports.

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by Agence France-Presse

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