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Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Maritime Blogs Central America

Four dead after suspected migrant boat capsizes near San Diego, Coast Guard says

Posted to Maritime Reporter on November 15, 2025

The U.S. Coast Guard reported that four people were killed and four more hospitalized when a suspected migrant-smuggling boat capsized late Friday night in rough waves off San Diego. The Coast Guard reported that in addition to eight deaths, one person has been taken into custody by U.S.

Panama Canal revenue to reach $5.7 billion in FY2025, up 19%

Posted to Maritime Reporter on October 8, 2025

In a Wednesday statement, the Panama Canal reported that revenues in fiscal year 2025 rose by 14.4% to $5.7 billion based on unaudited preliminary figures. The Canal also reported that vessel traffic increased by 19.3% on an annual basis to 13,404 in the 12-month period ending September 30.

Mexico's Pemex crude exports fell 32% in August compared to the same month last year

Posted to Maritime Reporter on September 26, 2025

Data released by the Mexican state company Pemex late Thursday night showed that it exported 500,203 barrels of crude oil per day (bpd), a drop of 32% compared to last year, despite its refineries processing slightly more. Pemex is trying to…

The number of ships passing through the Panama Canal has declined in August

Posted to Maritime Reporter on September 10, 2025

In a Wednesday bulletin, the Panama Canal Authority reported that the number of ships passing through the canal decreased slightly from 32.6 to 32.5 per day on average in August. The number of slots available per day has not been fully allocated…

Panama launches project to build a canal gas pipeline for the interoceanic energy Corridor

Posted to Maritime Reporter on September 3, 2025

The Panama Canal announced that during an official trip to Japan, President Jose Raul Mulino of Panama had begun a process for developing a new interoceanic gas pipeline energy corridor to serve the canal. The statement said that the pipeline would be the first project under this platform.

Panama Ports will discuss port sale with Panama Government

Posted to Maritime Reporter on August 1, 2025

Panama Ports Company said that on Friday it would communicate with the Panama Government at the appropriate time regarding the sale of two important ports it operates near to the Panama Canal. Hong Kong's CK Hutchison owns 90% of PPC. The company…

US sanctions on Iranian shipping network are major

Posted to Maritime Reporter on July 30, 2025

On Wednesday, the U.S. Treasury Department issued new sanctions against over 115 Iran linked individuals, entities, and vessels. This is an indication that the Trump administration has intensified its "maximum-pressure" campaign following June's bombing of Tehran's nuclear sites.

CK Hutchison eyes Chinese bidding partner for $22.8 billion port sale

Posted to Maritime Reporter on July 27, 2025

CK Hutchison announced on Monday that it is looking for a large strategic Chinese investor to join its consortium bidders in the $22.8 billion port business. This follows media reports that the state-owned China COSCO Shipping Corp. may be joining the group.

Russia is ready to provide LNG to Mexico

Posted to Maritime Reporter on June 21, 2025

The Russian Embassy in Mexico announced on Saturday that it was ready to share its energy technologies and supply Mexico with liquefied gas. "We already work with Mexico." "We have excellent LNG technology, and we're ready to share this technology and supply LNG too…

Ambrey Security says that the hijack call made by a ship near Iran was a false alarm

Posted to Maritime Reporter on May 21, 2025

Ambrey, a British maritime security company, said that a hijack signal sent by a Panamanian flagged petroleum products tanker near Iran was a false alert. Ambrey reported the incident on Tuesday, south of the busy Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes without naming "UAE-linked vessel".

Hong Kong's CK Hutchison ensures legal compliance in port deal

Posted to Maritime Reporter on May 12, 2025

Hong Kong's CK Hutchison announced on Monday that the closely monitored port deal it has negotiated will adhere strictly to all compliance standards. In March, the Hong Kong-based conglomerate controlled by tycoon Li Kashing agreed to sell the bulk of its global ports business worth $22.8 billion…

Officials from Mexico's Pemex have said that the company plans to export less crude as a new refinery is built.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on May 12, 2025

A company director stated on Monday that the trading arm of Mexico’s state company Pemex (PMI) anticipates a decrease in crude oil exported this year, as more will go to local refineries and especially the new Olmeca Refinery. Margarita Perez…

Trump's new ambassador in Panama casts China as a threat to frayed alliance

Posted to Maritime Reporter on May 8, 2025

The new US ambassador in Panama, who was appointed on Thursday, pledged to further strengthen the ties between the Central American nation and the United States while highlighting China as a threat to all. "My first priority will be to enhance…

Estonia releases a tanker bound for Russia

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 28, 2025

Estonia released the oil tanker Kiwala that was detained for not having a valid flag. The Estonian Navy detained the tanker bound for Russia and boarded it on April 11, 2019. The tanker is believed to be a part of the so-called “shadow fleet”…

Profits for Miner Grupo Mexico jump 17% on higher metal prices

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 25, 2025

The mining and transport conglomerate Grupo Mexico announced a 17% increase in its first-quarter profit on Friday. This was primarily due to higher metal prices. The miner's net profit jumped to $1.09bn, far exceeding the $816m estimate of analysts polled at LSEG.

Panama: US acknowledges Panama's sovereign right over the canal

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 9, 2025

Panama announced on Wednesday that the United States recognizes its sovereignty over the Panama Canal despite the harsh rhetoric of Washington. The two nations also announced an agreement to intensify U.S. Military Training in Central America. In the first Pentagon visit to Panama for decades, U.S.

Pentagon chief: US will take back the Panama Canal from Chinese influence

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 8, 2025

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told reporters in Panama on Tuesday that the United States would retake the Panama Canal back from Chinese influence. Hegseth promised to intensify security cooperation with Panamanian forces after talks with the government of Panama.

USTR Greer: Not all Chinese shipping fees will be implemented

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 8, 2025

U.S. trade representative Jamieson Greer informed lawmakers on Tuesday that the proposed multimillion dollar fees for Chinese-built vessels docking at U.S. port may not be implemented in full and they might not be cumulative. Greer said at a…

Hegseth, a Pentagon official, will visit the Panama Canal following Trump's threats to withdraw it

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 8, 2025

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will get a closer look at the Panama Canal as he begins a rare trip to Central America, a nation that is still uneasy about President Donald Trump’s threats to take the canal back. Hegseth is the first U.S. Defense Secretary to visit Panama in decades.

Hegseth, US Defense Secretary to Visit Panama Next Week

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 4, 2025

Pentagon announced on Friday that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth would travel to Panama early next week, where he would participate in the annual Central American Security Conference. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that Hegseth will hold bilateral meetings during the conference.