Manzanillo, Panama

Port Overview

Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT) is located on the Atlantic side of Panama near Colón, adjacent to the Colón Free Trade Zone. As one of the largest and most efficient container transshipment hubs in Latin America, it ranks among the top ports in the region. Its strategic position at the Atlantic entrance of the Panama Canal makes it vital for global shipping routes. The port handles an annual throughput of approximately 2.7 to 3.5 million TEUs, supporting extensive regional and international trade connectivity.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Manzanillo International Terminal in Panama features 8 berths, including 6 container and 2 Ro-Ro berths, with over 2,000 meters of quay. Key facilities include advanced container and Ro-Ro terminals, a logistics park, and multimodal connections. Equipment includes 19 post-panamax and super post-panamax quay cranes, automatic stacking cranes (ASCs), top-picks, side-picks, tractors, and over 2,400 reefer plugs. The terminal supports efficient container, Ro-Ro, general, and project cargo operations.

Container Terminals

Manzanillo International Terminal in Panama features 8 berths—6 for containers and 2 for Ro-Ro cargo—with a total quay length exceeding 2,300 meters. The terminal has an annual container handling capacity of 3.5 million TEUs. It employs advanced terminal management systems and high levels of automation, including 19 post-panamax and super post-panamax quay cranes. Major operators include SSA Marine (Carrix, Inc.) in partnership with Panama’s Motta and Heilbron families.

Port Services

Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT) in Panama provides the following main services:

Container Handling: Full container terminal operations with 19 post-panamax and super post-panamax quay cranes, capacity for 3.5 million TEUs annually

Cargo Operations: Container, roll-on/roll-off (RoRo), general cargo, and project cargo handling

Ship Services: Pilotage, tugboat services, and berthing facilities with depths up to 16 meters

Warehousing: Logistics park with warehouses, container storage areas, and empty container depot

Logistics Platform: Multimodal connectivity linking maritime, ground, railroad, and air transportation services

Global Connectivity

Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT) in Panama is a major transshipment hub on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal, directly connected to the Colón Free Trade Zone. It serves as a critical gateway for cargo moving between North and South America, the Caribbean, and Central America, with strong connectivity to over 125 ports across 48 countries. MIT handles a high volume of containerized and roll-on/roll-off cargo, offering efficient multimodal links to major markets in the Americas, Asia, and Europe via global shipping routes. Its strategic location and advanced infrastructure make it a key node in regional and global logistics networks.

Port Statistics

Port of Manzanillo, Panama – Key Statistics (2025):

• TEU Throughput: Approximately 1.29 million TEUs (Jan–Apr 2025)
• World Ranking: Top 100 global container ports
• Number of Berths: 14
• Terminal Area: 52 hectares
• Major Shipping Lines: Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, Evergreen, COSCO, ONE

Manzanillo is a major transshipment hub on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal, serving extensive regional and global routes.