AFTER  a year in which activity fell by 9.1 percent, Panamaa ports began 2017 with a strong expansion according to statistics from the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP).

The movement of container size TEU grew 17.5% in January  as the ports mobilized 597,000 up from 508,000  in January 2016.

Panama Port Cristóbal was the port with the greatest expansion, with a container movement growth of 50.1%.

Other ports with  strong dynamism were Panama Port Balboa and Manzanillo International Terminal, that increased their activity 14.8% and 15.7%, respectively.

Colon Container Terminal showed positive numbers, although more moderate. The movement of containers grew 2.6% in January.

In 2016, the ports with the largest container movement were Panama Ports Balboa (2.8 million), Manzanillo International Terminal (1.8 million) and Panama Ports Cristóbal (794,000)

During 2016 approximately 58,000 ships were served and the cargo mobilized reached about 78 million metric tons.

According to the United Nations, the world economy will grow 2.7% in 2017 and 3.3% in 2018 more a sign of economic stabilization than a sign of robust and sustained recovery in global demand.