Customer advisories

Customer Advisory 19 — 11 March 2026

Local Cargo Service Hours - Port of Balboa

Dear customers and users,

APM Terminals Panama presents the official service hours for Local Cargo to support your planning and operational coordination at the Port of Balboa.

Cleared Container

• Monday to Friday: 07:00 – 16:30
• Saturday: 07:00 – 12:00

Containers: Export, Import with legal release, Reception and Delivery of Empties

• Monday to Friday: 07:00 – 20:00 (gate entry for truckers)
                  (Gate House counter service hours: until 21:00)
• Saturday: 07:00 – 14:00 (gate entry for truckers)
                  (Gate House counter service hours: until 15:00)

Considerations

• It is mandatory to be registered in our system in order to process the corresponding payments filling the Customer Registration Form
• For payment procedures, please refer to: Empty containers are currently not being delivered. Payment process - APM Terminals

Customer Advisory 18 — 10 March 2026

Local cargo service hours

To enhance operational planning and coordination, APM Terminals Panama hereby publishes the official service hours for Local Cargo operations at Port of Balboa.

Cleared container

• Monday to Friday: 07:00 – 16:30
• Saturday: 07:00 – 12:00

Containers: export, import with legal release and reception of empties

• Monday to Friday:
  Gate entry for truckers: 07:00 – 20:00
  Gate house counter service hours: until 21:00
• Saturday:
  Gate entry for truckers: 07:00 – 14:00
  Gate house counter service hours: until 15:00

Considerations

• It is mandatory to be registered in our system in order to process payments. If you are not registered, please complete the Customer Registration Form.
• For payment procedures, please refer to our Payment process page. 
• Empty containers are not being delivered.

Customer Advisory 17 — 10 March 2026

Online Customer registration form

To optimize and streamline the registration process, we inform you that, as of Wednesday, 11 March 2026, customer creation will be carried out exclusively through the online Customer Registration Form, available via the previous link or by scanning this QR code:

Considerations

• If your company has already completed the registration via email, you do not need to fill out this form.
• Your company must be registered in our system in order to make payments.
• Additional information related to payments can be found on the Payment Process page. 

Customer Advisory 16 — 5 March 2026

Notice to marine and vessel service providers

Since APM Terminals Panama took over operations at the Port of Balboa the priority has been to ensure continuity of the logistics hub with the least possible disruption.

As part of this transition, all marine service providers supporting vessel operations are kindly requested to coordinate their activities through the channels listed below. This applies to:

• Vessel surveyors
• Commercial and technical diving teams
• Marine suppliers & ship chandlers
• Waste management and environmental service companies
• Maintenance and repair contractors
• Shore and sea based bunkering services
• Ship repair service companies
• Ro-Ro cargo removal service companies

Scope of coordination includes:

• Access to terminals, as well as security and safety protocols
• Permit requirements and operational clearances
• Compliance with HSE and port safety regulations

Process for Coordinating Access:

Verification of Documentation and Permits. Contact the Security and Safety Department to verify that all documentation and permits are in order, at the following email address: SecurityOfficers@APMTerminalsBalboa.com ; HSE@APMTerminalsBalboa.com

Considerations

It is essential to be registered in our system in order to make the corresponding payments. You can review the registration and payment procedure at the following link: Customer advisories - APM Terminals

Service hours: From Monday to Sunday  |  24 hours

Customer Advisory 15 — 4 March 2026

Free Storage Period for Local Cargo Containers Port of Balboa

Dear customers and members of the port community,

We inform you that the free storage period for local cargo containers will be counted starting Friday, February 27th, with this date considered as the first day of the seven (7) free calendar days at the Port of Balboa.

Once this period expires, any containers remaining in the terminal will incur daily storage charges per container according to the following rates:

Considerations

• It is essential to be registered in our system in order to complete the corresponding payments.
• You can create your account through the online Customer Registration Form
  And Payment Process at:
  APM Terminals - Payments

Customer Advisory 14 — 4 March 2026

Dangerous good procedures  

As part of our ongoing commitment to safety, we have published important information regarding the types of IMDG (IMO Dangerous Cargo) that can be handled at the Port of Balboa. 

Please see the Dangerous cargo page for details. 

Customer Advisory 13 — 27 February 2026

Port Charges for Ro-Ro Cargo  

Updated version of advisory 9 below. 

APM Terminals Panama informs its customers of the current surcharges applicable to import cargo:

Ro-Ro Cargo

Per unit moving through our gates

Considerations

• If the vehicle is not self‑propelled, in addition to the costs described, you must pay $20.00 for the entry of a lowbed trailer or car carrier.
• For export vehicles, only the Security charge applies for each unit that passes through our gates.
• To make the corresponding payments for these port charges, please refer to the Payment process page. 

Customer Advisory 12 — 27 February 2026

Customers creation and registration 

Updated and replaced 10 March.

The creation and registration of customers is carried out exclusively through the online Customer Registration Form.

Please see the Customer Advisory 17 — 10 March 2026, on this page for more information. 

Considerations

It is essential that all customers be registered in our system in order to process the corresponding payments.

For additional information related to payments, please consult the Payment process page. Should you have any questions, please contact us at CobranzasBalboa@APMTerminalsPanama.com.

Customer Advisory 11 — 26 February 2026

Gate status
Delivery of import containers

APM Terminals Panama reports that the stabilization phase of operations at the Port of Balboa (Pacific) in Panama is progressing according to the established work plan.

This period is essential to ensure port operability with the least possible impact.

Delivery of Import Containers

• From Friday, February 27th at 09:30 hours
• To Sunday, March 1st at 23:59 hours
• Delivery of cleared containers
• Delivery of import containers with legal release

Considerations

• We suggest contacting your shipping line directly to verify the necessary documentation required to proceed with the pickup of import containers at the Port of Balboa.
• Empty containers are not being delivered.

Customer Advisory 10 — 26 February 2026

Vendor Creation and Registration

To ensure the correct processing of invoicing and payments, we kindly request that you register APM Terminals Panama S.A., operator of the Port of Balboa, as a vendor in your internal systems using the official information below:

Company Information 

We kindly ask you to verify that this information is correctly entered in your systems to avoid delays in payment processing and invoice allocation.

Should you have any questions, please contact us at CobranzasBalboa@APMTerminalsPanama.com.

Customer Advisory 9 — 26 February 2026

Port Charges for Ro-Ro Cargo  

APM Terminals Panama informs its customers of the current surcharges applicable to import cargo:

Ro-Ro Cargo

Per unit moving through our gates

Considerations

Updated 27 February. 

• If the vehicle is not self‑propelled, in addition to the costs described, you must pay $20.00 for the entry of a lowbed trailer or car carrier.
• For export vehicles, only the Security charge applies for each unit that passes through our gates.
• To make the corresponding payments for these port charges, please refer to the Payment process page. 

Customer Advisory 8 — 26 February 2026

Port Charges for Containerized Cargo 

APM Terminals Panama informs its customers of the current charges applicable to containerized cargo:

Oversized Containers: $95.00

For local special containers (flat rack, open top) moving through our gates.

IMO Dangerous Cargo: $60.00

For local containers declared with dangerous goods moving through our gates.

VGM: $50.00

Weighing and issuance of the certificate for export containers. (VGM = verified gross mass)

Considerations

To make the corresponding payments for these port charges, please refer to the Payment process page. 

Customer Advisory 7 — 26 February 2026

Gate In status

APM Terminals Panama reports that the stabilization phase of operations at the Port of Balboa (Pacific) in Panama is progressing according to the established work plan.

This period is essential to ensure port operability with the least possible impact.

Container reception

Thursday, 26 February 2026

• Export and Empty containers at the gate.
• Reception of trucks until 20:00 hours.

Considerations

• Import containers are not being delivered

Customer Advisory 6 — 25 February 2026

General cargo – RoRo unloading and dispatch

APM Terminals Panama reports that the stabilization phase of operations at the Port of Balboa (Pacific) in Panama is progressing according to the established work plan.

This period is essential to ensure port operability with the least possible impact.

RoRo cargo

Update:

• Resumption of dispatch operations.
• Driven vehicles and car carriers.
• Dispatch from 07:00 to 22:00 hours.

Customer Advisory 5 — 25 February 2026

Gate in status

APM Terminals Panama reports that the stabilization phase of operations at the Port of Balboa (Pacific) in Panama is progressing according to the established work plan.

This period is essential to ensure port operability with the least possible impact.

Container Reception

Status today:

• Wednesday, February 25th, 2026
• Export and Empty containers at the gate
• Reception of trucks until 20:00 hours.

Considerations

• Import containers are not being delivered.

Customer Advisory 4 — 24 February 2026

Update on gate in status

APM Terminals Panama reports that the stabilization phase of operations at the Port of Balboa (Pacific) in Panama is progressing according to the established work plan.

This period is essential to ensure port operability with the least possible impact.

Container Reception

As part of the stabilization schedule, today, Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the reception of export and empty containers at the gate has begun.

Considerations

• The reception of trucks will continue until 21:00 hours today.
• Import containers are not being delivered.

Customer Advisory 3 — 24 February 2026

Reefer cargo

APM Terminals has begun the stabilization phase of operations at the Port of Balboa (Pacific side) in Panama.

During this period, our priority is to ensure the continuity of operations and protect the integrity of cargo, with special focus on perishable and refrigerated cargo (Reefer).

Continuous Connection and Monitoring of Reefer Cargo

Reefers are connected, powered, and monitored by our specialized technical team, performing the following tasks:

• Inspection of the condition, temperature, and operation of each unit.
• On-site technical supervision of Reefers.
• Verification of set points and initial conditions of each container.
• Electrical capacity to meet the current demand of Reefers.

Commitment to Continuity and the Cold Chain

Our objective is to ensure that the cold chain remains uninterrupted during this stabilization period, providing peace of mind to importers, exporters, and shipping lines.

Any deviation will be addressed immediately by the technical team, with direct communication to those responsible for the cargo.

For coordination and inquiries, please contact:
Reefer@APMTerminalsBalboa.com

Customer Advisory 2 — 24 February 2026

Gate In Status

APM Terminals Panama reports that the stabilization phase of operations at the Port of Balboa (Pacific), in Panama, is progressing according to the established work plan.

This period is key to ensuring port operability with the least possible impact.

Receiving containers

As part of the stabilization schedule, today, Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the reception of export containers and empty containers through the gate has begun.

Considerations

• Reception will continue until 18:00 today.
• At this time, import containers are not being delivered.

Customer Advisory 1 — 23 February 2026

APM Terminals has begun temporary operations at the Port of Balboa (Pacific side) in Panama for a period of up to 18 months. 

During the stabilization phase, the priority is to ensure continuity of the logistics hub while a new operating system is installed to restore container movements at Balboa with the least possible disruption.

Cargo and asset diagnostics & inventory

APM Terminals Panama will carry out:

• Inventory of containers at the terminal.
• Review of cargo condition, with special attention to perishables.

In coordination with the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), the following will be conducted:

• Inventory of cranes, equipment, and technology systems.
• Technical evaluation of operational infrastructure.
• Safety and operational flow verification on site.

Migration of operating system to N4 Navis

APM Terminals Panama will transition the terminal operating system to Navis N4, which will allow:

• Greater traceability and visibility of cargo.
• Smooth integration with shipping lines, customs, and clients.
• More stable, reliable processes aligned with global industry standards.