Coco Solo, Panama
Coco Solo, Panama: Former U.S. naval base and key Atlantic gateway to the Panama Canal, now a major container port site.
Port Overview
Coco Solo is located on Panama’s Atlantic coast near the northern entrance of the Panama Canal, within the city of Colón. It hosts two major container terminals: Manzanillo International Terminal and Colón Container Terminal. The area is among the largest and most strategically important port complexes in the region, serving as a key transshipment hub for cargo moving between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Combined, the terminals handle over 5 million TEUs annually, with Manzanillo International Terminal alone having a capacity of up to 3.5 million TEUs.
Facilities & Infrastructure
Coco Solo, Panama hosts two major terminals: Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT) and Colon Container Terminal (CCT). MIT features 8 berths (6 container, 2 Ro-Ro), 19 post-panamax quay cranes, over 2,000 reefer plugs, and advanced terminal management systems. CCT offers 4 container berths, 11 quay cranes, and a handling capacity of 2.4 million TEUs. Both terminals provide extensive container storage, logistics parks, and multimodal connections; AGVs are not specifically mentioned.
Container Terminals
Coco Solo, Panama, hosts two major container terminals: Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT) and Colon Container Terminal (CCT). MIT has 8 berths (6 for containers), a capacity of 3.5 million TEU, and is highly automated with advanced terminal management systems, operated by MIT Panama S.A. CCT offers 4 berths, a 2.4 million TEU capacity, modern equipment, and is operated by the Evergreen Group. Both terminals are among the most advanced in the region.
Port Services
- Container handling: Modern container berths with post-panamax cranes, high-volume transshipment, and reefer plug capacity.
- Cargo operations: General cargo, Ro-Ro, breakbulk, and project cargo services.
- Ship services: Pilotage, tugboats, fueling, emergency repairs, waste disposal, and medical facilities.
- Warehousing: On-site logistics park, large container storage areas, and direct access to Colon Free Zone warehousing.
- Customs: Full customs clearance and documentation support for import/export activities.
Global Connectivity
Coco Solo, located on Panama’s Atlantic coast near the entrance to the Panama Canal, is a major transshipment hub with direct connectivity to over 125 ports worldwide. It serves the Caribbean, North, Central, and South America, with frequent shipping routes to major markets in the Americas and the Far East. The port’s multimodal links include road, rail, and access to the Colon Free Zone, supporting efficient cargo movement across regional and global trade lanes.
Port Statistics
Port: Coco Solo (Colon Container Terminal, CCT), Panama
TEU Throughput: Approximately 2.0–2.4 million TEU annually
World Ranking: Not in the global top 30, but among the largest in the Caribbean
Number of Berths: 4 container berths
Area: 74.33 hectares
Shipping Lines: Served by major global carriers, including Evergreen (terminal operator), and regular services from lines connecting the Americas, Caribbean, and Far East.
