Direct contract port concessions languishing

NOT ONE of Panama’s container port concessions awarded by direct contract between 2012 and 2014 is under construction, raising concerns that they are open to speculation.

 Four direct contracts were approved by Cabinet resolutions signed by the outgoing president, Ricardo Martinelli.

Three of the awards for construction on the Atlantic coast will be devoted to storage containers and other activities, and on the Pacific a concession for a multipurpose dock was approved.

The Panama Maritime Chamber, an association that brings together more than 200 companies, reported that none of the new port container terminals is under construction at this time, reports La Prensa.

Willys Delvalle, chairman of the board of the association, said that these concessions should have a definite time to start building, because otherwise it “lends itself to speculation.”

The maritime sector requires investments to take advantage of business that will be generated with the start of operations of the new locks of the Canal, but concessions must be granted by tender Delvalle said.

It must also establish that the contract is not sold, transferred, bartered or otherwise exchanged, he said.Direct contract port concessions languishing
NOT ONE of Panama’s container port concessions awarded by direct contract between 2012 and 2014 are under construction, raising concerns that they are open to speculation.
 Four direct contracts were approved by Cabinet resolutions signed by the outgoing president, Ricardo Martinelli.
Three of the awards for construction on the Atlantic coast will be devoted to storage containers and other activities, and on the Pacific a concession for a multipurpose dock was approved.
The Panama Maritime Chamber, an association that brings together more than 200 companies, reported that none of the new port container terminals is under construction at this time, reports La Prensa.
Willys Delvalle, chairman of the board of the association, said that these concessions should have a definite time to start building, because otherwise it “lends itself to speculation.”
The maritime sector requires investments to take advantage of business that will be generated with the start of operations of the new locks of the Canal, but concessions must be granted by tender Delvalle said.
It must also establish that the contract is not sold, transferred, bartered or otherwise exchanged, he said.