U.S. Accuses China of Detaining Panama-Flagged Ships

A drone view shows containers docked at Panama Ports Company (PPC) after Panama’s Supreme Court annulled key port contracts held by the Hong Kong‑based CK Hutchison–owned firm, leaving the future of some Panama Canal operations uncertain, in Panama City, Panama, February 4, 2026. REUTERS/Enea Lebrun
A drone view shows containers docked at Panama Ports Company (PPC) after Panama’s Supreme Court annulled key port contracts held by the Hong Kong‑based CK Hutchison–owned firm, leaving the future of some Panama Canal operations uncertain, in Panama City, Panama, February 4, 2026. REUTERS/Enea Lebrun

The United States accused China on Thursday of detaining Panama-flagged ships in the Asian country’s ports, following a takeover by Panamanian authorities of two ports previously controlled by a Chinese company.

“China has now imposed a surge in detentions of Panama‑flagged vessels in Chinese ports under the guise of port state control, far exceeding historical norms,” the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission said in a statement.

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by Agence France-Presse

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