The Port of Balboa in Panama

After the reversion of the Panama Canal Zone to the Republic of Panama,  tremendous investments have been made to the ports of Cristobal and the Atlantic Ocean and Balboa on the Pacific Ocean.  Panama wanted very badly to have the most modern port facilities in Latin America.  It has been very successful in its intentions.

In an effort to capture the present status of the Bridge of the Americas, I saw first hand how busy and modern the Port of Balboa looked like.  Even though it was only 6:15 a.m. (-5 GMT) the port was working full swing.  Before I show you the photographs I shot, I would like to briefly describe the Port of Balboa.  Probably some of you  might be interested in port facilities issues in Latin America.

The Port of Balboa—named after Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, the first European known to have seen the Pacific Ocean from the Americas—is the terminal port for the Pacific Ocean end of the Panama Canal.

Balboa was first located at the former La Boca French Port, on the Panamanian Pacific end. The port was refurbished by the Americans at the beginning of the construction of the Canal into a modern facility named Ancon. Later it received its present name—Balboa.

Since its inauguration in 1909, it was a vital port for maritime trade on the Pacific because it was the only one in its category between Salina Cruz, Mexico, and El Callao, Peru which represented the large vessels of those days (3,000 tons) a passage of two thousand miles between both points.

The Port of Balboa is strategically positioned to be a major player in world commerce and transportation. The world’s biggest shipping lines call on the port regularly, and the Port of Balboa handles a third of all cargo moving through Panama’s ports.

The Port of Balboa covers 450 acres and contains four berths for containers and two multi-purpose berths. In total, the berths are over 7.9 thousand feet long with alongside depth of 49 feet.  The Port of Balboa has 18 super post-Panamax and Panamax quay cranes and 44 gantry cranes. The Port of Balboa also contains 6.9 thousand square feet of warehouse space.

In 2007, it started weekly service to post-Panamax ships operating between Asia and the west coast of Latin America. The Port of Balboa is also a cargo hub for South America and the Caribbean.

Now, let’s go ahead and see the photographs of this important Panamanian port at the entrance of the Panama Canal.  Here we go.

Photograph of the Port of Balboa with its tall cranes in the background. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)

A more clean-cut view of the Port of Balboa early in the morning. As you can see, several container boats are being served. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)

Photograph of a container vessel being unloaded at one of the Balboa's terminals. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)

A clear shot of the Balboa's container cranes making this port a leading maritime facility in Latin America. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)

A panoramic view of the Port of Balboa at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)

Photograph of the former U.S. Rodman Naval Base on the west bank of the Panama Canal. On the background you can see the main channel of the Panama Canal connecting the terminal cities of Balboa and Colon. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)

Having modern ports is one of the strategies of Panama to become a first world nation.  I think this long sought dream will soon become a reality.  Good Day.