Panama shipyard

Last month, the Colón Free Zone (ZLC in Spanish initials), which expects to have sales this year of $24 billion, up 10% from 2010, called for the development of a shipyard in Colón province.

So far, neither the ZLC nor the Panamanian government has discussed possible incentives for a shipyard project. On the other hand, the concept makes sense, as a logical evolution of Panama´s logistics package.

Currently, ships passing through Panama in need of repairs or maintenance must go to Cartagena, Colombia, nearly 24 hours away. A Panamanian shipyard would reduce travel time, while creating thousands of new jobs in the Colón area, which has high unemployment outside the free zone.

Opportunities

• Construction companies (initial phase)
• Maritime engineers
• Technicians
• Suppliers