Panamanian maritime sector management

Countries with important maritime interests are especially careful when choosing the management systems which apply to them, because the permanent controversy about both the advantages and disadvantages of managing maritime competencies under a unique or several institutions is well known. Panamaʹs tremendous maritime potential as a service country—namely, outstanding strategic and historical geographic position, Canal and ship register—and its scarce exploitation have both coincided. This paper analyses some of the results of the research we carried out in Panama, which concluded with proposals—already successfully implemented—of unifying maritime policies and of exploiting its geographic position. As the subject of a deeper study, the Canal management is not included within the present paper.