AGP Executive Report
Last update: 9 hours agoPanama Canal & Trade Costs: With Gatun Lake levels pressured by El Niño, the Panama Canal Authority is cutting neopanamax draft limits from 49.5 feet to 47.5 feet, with new caps effective Aug. 26 (48 feet) and Sept. 3 (47.5 feet), a move that will reduce cargo per vessel and add to carrier charges. Free Zones Legal Update: Panama is looking to strengthen and update the legal framework for its free trade zones to keep attracting investment and jobs, citing 2025 revenue of $203.2 million and employment for 1,000+ Panamanians. Exports Performance: Panamanian exports topped $534 million in the first half of 2026, led by the U.S. ($92.7m) and the Netherlands ($67.2m), with resilience across agricultural and value-added sectors. Customs Crackdown on Contraband: Panama Customs seized about 1.19 million suspected contraband cigarettes at Guabalá, with authorities tracing the shipment’s origin and destination. Anti-Corruption Case Update: The number of people charged in Panama’s “parallel decentralization” embezzlement probe has risen to 99, tied to misuse of funds distributed through the PDIS program (2021–2024). Regional Logistics & Security: PANAMAX 2026 continues mid-exercise, emphasizing multinational coordination to protect the Canal’s neutrality and the flow of commerce.
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