Sponsored By
Focus on Panama

The latest news and developments from Panama, one of the world’s most important shipping nations.

Unifeeder expands in Latin America, opens Panama office

DP World’s Unifeeder Group has opened an office in Panama its first in the Latin American region.

Michele Labrut, Americas Correspondent

May 1, 2024

1 Min Read
Panana City yosi bitran unsplash
Photo: Unsplash

The move to open an office in Panama City comes as the shortsea shipping company continues expand in Latin American region having launched its first service in March 2023. 

The new Panama team will support the Unifeeder businesses across the region in coordination with global its headquarters in Aarhus, Denmark. Unifeeder will handle more than 200,000 teu and complete 800 port calls in the region in 2024 and has plans to develop its Latin American operations further in the coming years. 

"Opening offices in key markets including Panama and introducing new direct feeder services means we can not only offer enhanced logistics options to our customers, but also create a positive impact on the local economy,” commented Jesper Kristensen, Group CEO at Unifeeder Group and Group COO Marine Services at DP World.

In February 2023 the company launched  a new Colombia-Panama service transporting containerised cargo between the North Colombian ports of Turbo, Santa Marta, Cartagena, Barranquilla and Manzanillo in Panama.

In April 2024 Unifeeder added new direct feeder services connecting ports in Venezuela with the ABC islands has commenced. The first service connects Manzanillo in Panama with Oranjestad in Aruba and Willemstad in Curaçao. A second service is connecting Manzanillo and Cartagena in Colombia with three ports in Venezuela: Maracaibo, Guanta and Guaranao.

Related:Unifeeder launches new service connecting Colombia and Panama

 “Latin America is home to major emerging markets and abundant natural resources, particularly agricultural products. It is therefore an important logistics and supply chain hub for the regional and global economy. As DP World continues to expand in the region, the opening of our first office in Panama and the introduction of new feeder coverage represent a key step forward in our strategy to become the logistics partner of choice in the region,” added Morten Johansen, EVP Americas, DP World.

Read more about:

DP World

About the Author

Michele Labrut

Americas Correspondent

Michèle Labrut is a long-time Panama resident, a journalist and correspondent, and has continuously covered the maritime sector of Central & Latin America.

Michèle first came to Panama as a press attaché to the French Embassy and then returned to the isthmus as a foreign correspondent in the 1980s.

Author of Seatrade Maritime's annual Panama Maritime Review magazine and of several books, Michèle also wrote for Time magazine, The Miami Herald, NBC News and the Economist Intelligence Unit. She has also collaborated in making several documentaries for the BBC and European and U.S. television networks.

Michèle's profession necessitates a profound knowledge of the country, but her acumen is not from necessity alone, but a genuine passion for Panama.

In 2012 she was awarded the Order of Merit (Knight grade) by the French Government for her services to international journalism and in 2021 the upgrade to Chevalier grade.

Get the latest maritime news, analysis and more delivered to your inbox
Join 12,000+ members of the maritime community

You May Also Like