PANAMA CITY, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Panamanian Supreme Court on Thursday annulled the concession allowing Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison to operate ports at the Panama Canal, a year after US President Donald Trump threatened to seize the crucial passageway claiming China controlled it. The Supreme Court found the laws which allowed CK Hutchison Holdings to operate two of the five ports of the canal "unconstitutional," according to a court statement. Panama Ports Company -- a CK Hutchison Holdings subsidiary -- currently manages the ports of Cristobal on the canal's Atlantic side and Balboa on the Pacific side. CK Hutchison Holdings is one of Hong Kong's largest conglomerates, spanning finance, retail, infrastructure, telecoms and logistics. It has sought to sell the Panama Canal ports to a consortium led by US asset manager BlackRock.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 30, 2026 10:37 UTC