The Chamber of Shipping of Panama, originally founded in 1960 in the city of Colon, comprising Shipping Agencies involved in the care of ships transiting the Canal and calling at the ports of Balboa and Cristobal, has been constantly evolving.

 
Shipping Agencies claim the greatest momentum in Latin America because of the inauguration of the Canal. Ships Before this event, which changes the course of navigation and maritime history of our continent, sailed around Cape Horn or through the Strait of Magellan, with Chile and Peru, by then the points of convergence, where stood the headquarters of some major shipping lines worldwide. Immediately, and to date, following the opening of the canal, these large carriers, each with a fascinating history of conquest of markets, mergers and transformations that cross continents by tracing new routes and moving global trade, are present or represented by its agents in Panama, being treated with a high degree of efficiency and professionalism.
 

In 1979 the Maritime Chamber draws its legal status, following the signing of the Torrijos Carter on September 7, 1977, which begins the reversion of land and assets of the channel, to our country.

In 1995, Manzanillo International Terminal opened operations in 1996 is awarded to the Port of Cocosolo Colon Container Terminal, The Evergreen in 1997 the ports of Balboa and Cristobal are given in concession to the Panama Ports and kicks off the era of mass management of containerized cargo, which together with the re-opening of the inter-oceanic railway in 2001 and the development of frank Cruise Ports bring new and great challenges to the Chamber of Shipping in general and individual members to test their ability managers of large business, which now includes Panamax and Post-Panamax transshipment of cargo in ports, logistics of distribution and the attention of thousands of passengers.

Currently, the Maritime Chamber of Panama is made up of over a hundred members including the largest shipping companies and agencies worldwide, such as APL, Cosco Panama, Crowley Liner Services, Inc. CMA CGM, China Shipping, Evergreen Inc., MOL Maersk and Sea Cargo, as Associated Steamship Agents, Agencies Continental; Barwil Agencies, Boyd Steamship, CB Fenton, Fernie & Co., Inchcape Services, Norton Lilly International, Pancanal Shipping Agency, Marine Unigres including auxiliary enterprises and through history have provided valuable services to support the activity, underpinning and enhancing the development of the sector.

 
For the Maritime Chamber of Panama to promote education is of priority importance, maintains a scholarship program for students and is part of the Board of the International Maritime University of Panama.

It is of interest to the Chamber to identify with the community by raising awareness of maritime culture as we are convinced that the greatest potential leverage industry with a great capacity to generate jobs, with even much more developed.

The Chamber of Shipping of Panama, unlike other groups in the area, is the only one that brings together companies whose business revolves around the sea-port activities, telling union level experts and advisors with extensive experience in maritime .

Is intended that every day more companies will join with high union culture in the search for the best terms which they propose and materialize the vision of Panama as a logistics center for collection and distribution of cargo for the world.

It has overcome the challenge facing the association of shipping agents in the '60s, by widening the circle of actors in our business to accomplish what is now the Maritime Chamber of Panama. We grow parallel to the maritime development of the nation, as Panamanians who are we owe to our country and the commitment to further advance its development, looking towards the sea.
The guild is composed in turn Harbors, oil terminals, towage, ship repairers, sorters, inspectors damage, hull and machinery, banks, brokers, relocation, consultants, maritime lawyers, almacenadota container yard; boat services, hotels, placement of marine, dredging, security services and environmental protection. Interact with state agencies such as Immigration, Customs, Quarantine; Panamanian Authority for Food Safety, which maintains communication with the fluid and effective.

As a member of the Advisory Board of the Panama Maritime Authority advises the Administrator of the Authority on matters relating to the maritime sector, the performance of the functions of the Authority, and authorize the practice of maritime skills as they are subject for consideration.

Is directly involved in the development of the National Maritime Strategy and the implementation of it, through various working committees established at the agency.

It is part of the National Competitiveness Center has a national commitment to education by participating in forums on the reformulation of teaching so as to achieve effective integration of the graduates, technicians and professionals to the immediate needs of the market.


Although there was presence of agencies or agents representing vessels transiting the Canal since its opening in 1914, in 1960 the Managers of Shipping Agencies located in the former Canal Zone and Panama City decided to start this group, not formalized, mainly to handle matters related to cargo movement to and from the United States and the old world with the west coast of South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

By then the bulk or loose cargo was uppermost, finished products were brought from Europe and America and from the coasts of South and Central America was carried raw material. Coffee and played important role in cotton exports, textiles and handicrafts cod in India, was imported. Panama, maritime country of fate, was in its infancy.

The Panama Canal Company (Panama Canal Company) recognizes the important role of shipping agencies by granting operating licenses by then Panama and becomes the center of delivering services to vessels transiting from supplies, medical services, fuel , water, postage, repairs, marine charts, exchange of crew, cargo handling, inspections, and to of course, the collection and payment of tolls in cash, subject to transit the Canal.

Given that only about 48 years have elapsed since the Camara Maritima takes shape, its first president Edmund Wachtel stands between us, as an active member. Other distinguished members, including Michael Ross's second president, have been and remain part of the story, followed by some of his descendants, with a maritime tradition.