The resolution of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Republic of Panama declaring the unconstitutionality of Law No. 5 of the 16 January 1997 'is contradictory with respect to the legal system in force". This was reported by the Panama Ports Company (PPC), the terminal operator of the CK Hutchison group of Hong Kong, commenting on the pronouncement of the past few hours of the Panamanian judicial body on the law that - he recalled PPC - "approved the contract that formed the basis of PPC operations in the ports of Balboa and Cristóbal to almost three decades" ( of 30 January 2026). The Chinese group company has denounced, moreover, that "this is the latest development of a Panamanian state campaign that impacted PPC and on its investor for over a year, including a number of surprise actions against the concession and against PPC".

The terminal operator company pointed out that "in Over 28 years in business PPC and its investor have invested over $1.8 billion in infrastructure, technology and human development, a figure far higher than that of any other port operator in the country. These investments have generated thousands of direct jobs and and have been instrumental in establishing Panama as a hub globally recognised port and logistics sector, attracting world's leading shipping companies and generating an impact positive for the entire nation. PPC's concession contract - underlined the company - was the result of a transparent international tender procedure. Since then, PPC has complied with its contractual and legal obligations, including audits conducted by the State, always acting with the utmost transparency and full willingness to collaborate".

Reiterating the legal groundlessness of the Court's ruling Supreme Court of Justice, Panama Ports Company specified that this measure "jeopardizes not only PPC and its contract, but also the well-being and stability of thousands of Panamanian families who depend directly and indirectly port activities, as well as the rule of law and legal certainty in the country. The sentence is diametrically opposed to previous decisions issued by the Court Supreme regarding contracts similar to PPC's. The campaign of the Panamanian state against its own legal framework and contractual liability, as well as against a dealer and investor - continues PPC's recrimination - continues to undermine the reputation of Panama as a reliable jurisdiction and its position as a globally competitive logistics center. The institutional and legal stability and respect for the are fundamental pillars for sustainable development and the rule of law".

Reiterating his commitment "in the Panama, its workers, the communities of Balboa e Colón and all stakeholders", the company terminalist announced its intention to fully assert its rights, "including recourse to legal proceedings national and international ones".