Panama-flag detentions at Chinese ports spike amid Hutchison port fallout
- Chinese ports detained 28 Panama-flagged vessels between March 8-12, representing 75.7% of detentions — far exceeding historical levels
- Sources say China’s maritime authorities issued verbal instructions to intensify inspections of Panama-flagged ships, with the first week described as a trial before further escalation
- Move looks like latest in Beijing’s retaliation campaign following Panama’s forced removal of CK Hutchison’s operating rights at Balboa and Cristobal terminals
Beijing appears to be leveraging port state control inspections as a pressure tool following Panama’s forced takeover of Hutchison port assets
