New Cruise Terminal in Panama City: What you need to know

Panama City plans to boost the economy and local tourism with the new cruise terminal, called Fuerte Amador. The project consists of two terminals which and it is strategically located in Amador Causeway, a well known touristic location with bars and restaurants in the city.

This terminal project started in 2017 and construction was temporarily halted due to the pandemic, however, it is estimated that today it has a 90% completion with plans to be fully finished by 2023.

The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) granted the Cruceros del Pacifico consortium, made up of Jan De Nul Panama SA and CHEC, the design and building contract for the Amador cruise terminal at Perico Island in 2017.

The contract also called for building all land-based facilities, which were to be built right at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal.

Capacities of the New Cruise Terminal

When everything is finished, the new cruise terminal will be able to accommodate two 360-meter-long vessels with a maximum passenger capacity of 5,000. At the present moment, only one of the two terminals is in operation and the terminal is working through the final phase of the project.

The New Terminal Cruise in Amador is just 15 kilometers from the center of Panama City, which makes it clearly convenient for tourists to be able to experience all the amenities and get to know the country’s capital. The Terminal is based on a concept of home ports, that is to say that tourists can come to Panama and board their cruise ships.

With such a capacity of 5,000 passengers, it is expected to have the highest quality and safety standards. Such capacity is due to the total area used for this project which is 88 hectares, 343 meters long and 36 meters wide.

Not only is there a single terminal, but also it will have several amenities, it will have natural reserve areas, ample parking, shops, restaurants, high technology, among other attractions for users. Equipped with the best land and sea facilities, it will allow passengers and cruise operators to enjoy their stay and tour in the terminal.

To start doing tests on the cruise port, in November 2021 the first cruise ships landed in Panama. The Viking Star, a Norwegian flag ship, was the one of the first ones to land, with 681 passengers disembarking and being able to enjoy and explore Panama City as well as visiting shops and restaurants.

What are the projected benefits for Panama with the new cruise?

The project is managed by the Panamanian Maritime Authority (AMP) and the total investment is of $165 million. The government tourism administration says that the terminal will help boost the cruise industry and the tourism sector at a national and international level, since it will become the first cruise port built in the Pacific sector, which positions Panama as a strategic tourism hub.

Ships landing in such a special place which is Amador Causeway, a location that is full of restaurants and amenities, also being so close to the city center, makes this project very particular in terms of growth in the tourism and local business sector.

Being built practically together with the construction of a direct highway from Cinta Costera towards Amador Causeway (and the new convention center located near), this project is a key player in reactivating Panama’s economy by offering a new tourist destination to international travelers, thus attracting thousands of visitors.