CK Hutchison steps up legal push as Panama moves to seize ports

RiddleMaster · 2026-03-06T11:04:03+00:00

CK Hutchison has intensified its legal battle in Panama following the government's seizure of its port operations, claiming unlawful occupation and property confiscation. The company seeks a review of the decree behind the takeover, which has resulted in escalating tensions over control of critical ports near the Panama Canal.

RiddleMaster

2026-03-06 11:04:03

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March 6 (Reuters) - Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison (0001.HK), opens new tab said on Friday it has escalated its legal fight in Panama after the government seized its port operations, petitioning for a review ‌of the decree behind the takeover.

The company said Panama unlawfully occupied facilities, seized property and ignored consultations, prompting further national and international legal action.

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CK Hutchison’s Panama Ports Company (PPC), which manages two terminals near the globally strategic Panama Canal, filed ⁠an administrative petition seeking reconsideration of Panama’s executive action that led to the occupation of its facilities and confiscation of its property, CK Hutchison said.

Panamanian authorities searched the local ports unit of CK Hutchison a week ago, esclating the rift over the control of the two ports.

Panama’s government in January annulled the deals that gave the company control of the two canal ‌ports ⁠following a court ruling deeming the contracts unconstitutional.

The government said last week The Balboa and Cristobal ports at the centre of the dispute would be operated temporarily by Maersk (MAERSKb.CO), opens new tab and MSC.

CK Hutchison had agreed last ⁠year to a $23 billion sale of dozens of ports worldwide, including the Panamanian terminals, to a consortium led by BlackRock (BLK.N), opens new tab and Mediterranean Shipping Company.

The ⁠deal has been criticised by Beijing but welcomed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who had declared he wanted to “reclaim” the ⁠Panama Canal to reduce Chinese influence over the canal’s key assets.

Reporting by Roushni Nair in Bengaluru and Kane Wu in Hong Kong; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala and Raju Gopalakrishnan

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