There are plans for a controversial project, Puerto Barú, which is a private, multipurpose port development in one of the most extensive and healthiest mangrove forests in Central America, 12 miles away from David City, on the Panamanian Pacific Coast. This area is home to 25% of all Panama’s mangroves.

In September 2024, a group of organizations composed of conservation professionals, scientists, lawyers, and biologists, filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court of Justice to declare null and void the Resolution that approved the developer’s Environmental Impact Study.

The group is not against development and wants to see a port built in the province of Chiriquí. That is why the group is calling for other suitable locations for the port to be considered, where protected mangroves and marine life will not be impacted.

In search of new locations for the port, to ensure that the Chiriquí region benefits from development, Puerto Armuelles has been identified as an ideal location for a port, in terms of growing the economy and protecting the environment.

A new report by international firm Lynker, a leading environmental modelling engineering consultancy, has found that developing a port in Puerto Armuelles is not only possible, but could see a larger-scale development compared to proposed project at Puerto Barú in David.

Why is Puerto Armuelles the ideal location for a port?

Puerto Armuelles stands out an ideal location for a port several reasons:

1. Deep-Water Access: The natural deep-water access that Puerto Armuelles provides would significantly reduce or even eliminate the need for costly capital and maintenance dredging, which would be required for development of the port in David. The essential dredging of the navigational channel in Puerto Barú in David is likely to lead to both higher costs and increased environmental risks, including sediment dispersion and potential habitat disruption of the nearby David mangroves.
2. Environmental Considerations: If the port was built in Puerto Armuelles rather than David, the vast risk to sensitive ecological habitats and protected areas would be minimal. Avoiding the environmental impacts – associated with dredging and operations in the protected mangroves – would align with both the developer’s and Panama’s sustainable development goals.
3. Logistical Advantages: Puerto Armuelles offers viable routes to the Pan-American Highway, ensuring efficient cargo transportation. Additionally, Puerto Armuelles has ample space for future expansion, allowing for the development of additional facilities and infrastructure to accommodate growing trade volumes and larger vessels.

What Are the Environmental Impacts of Moving the Port?

Relocating the port development from Puerto Barú to Puerto Armuelles or another viable location will ensure that precious mangroves, marine life and other species are not impacted.

Puerto Barú’s development would require extensive dredging of the navigational channel, which may lead to environmental risks, including sediment dispersion and potential habitat disruption of the nearby David Mangrove Forest. These mangroves are critical for biodiversity, supporting species such as the critically endangered Pacific smalltail shark and the hawksbill sea turtle. Puerto Armuelles naturally meets the depth requirements needed for a port, meaning the need for dredging is minimized, thereby protecting these sensitive ecosystems and aligning with sustainable development goals.

What are the economic impacts of developing a port in Puerto Armuelles?

In terms of future development and growth, Armuelles provides the potential for further port expansion, including the ability to accommodate larger vessels than would be possible in Puerto Barú in David. Puerto Armuelles also has suitable site conditions to support the development of a multipurpose port.

Even following the essential dredging of the navigation channel in Puerto Barú in David, it is unlikely to be navigable for larger cargo vessels given the narrow estuary channel and the protected status of mangroves in Panama. Also, the frequency of the ship traffic would need to be controlled due to the high risk of ship-to-species collision.

Due to the navigation channel in Puerto Barú in David, the size of the ships using the port also needs to be considered. Puerto Armuelles has capacity for vessels approximately 350 meters in length, significantly larger than the 192-meter vessels proposed for Puerto Barú.

Additionally, the location and infrastructure surrounding Puerto Armuelles could attract investments, boost trade, and enhance the region’s logistical capabilities. The influx of businesses and tourists would stimulate local economies, increase property values, and create a ripple effect of economic benefits throughout the Chiriquí province.

In contrast, Puerto Barú is located deep within a series of channels and lagoons covered in mangroves, which restricts space for expansion. The need for extensive dredging and the protected status of the surrounding mangrove areas make it challenging to accommodate larger vessels or increase port capacity. Even following dredging, it is unlikely that Puerto Barú would be navigable for larger cargo vessels given the narrow estuary channel and the protected status of mangroves in Panama. This lack of space for expansion appears to limit Puerto Barú’s potential to support long-term economic growth and development.

How Accessible Is Puerto Armuelles?

The road accessibility of any port is crucial for logistics. Puerto Armuelles offers viable access routes to the Pan-American Highway for cargo transportation.

Conclusion

The report by Lynker has found that Puerto Armuelles is a viable alternative to Puerto Barú for port development in Panama and could even have better economic impacts for the Chiriquí region. Its natural deep-water access, logistical benefits, and low environmental risks make it a strategic choice for sustainable port development.

The report findings highlight that Puerto Armuelles not only meets the operational requirements but may also offer significant advantages over Puerto Barú. The natural deep-water access reduces the need for costly dredging, minimizing environmental impacts. The strategic location and existing infrastructure provide efficient cargo transportation routes, while the ample space for future expansion ensures that the port can grow alongside increasing economic demands.

Moreover, the economic benefits of developing Puerto Armuelles are substantial. The port’s development will create numerous job opportunities, attract investments, and boost trade, driving growth in the region. The influx of businesses and tourists will stimulate local economies, increase property values, and create a ripple effect of economic benefits throughout the Chiriquí province. The potential for future expansion further solidifies Puerto Armuelles’ role as a key driver of regional development.

In contrast, the Puerto Barú is set within a series of channels and lagoons covered in mangroves, appears to restrict space for expansion and could increase environmental risks. The need for extensive dredging and the protected status of the surrounding mangrove areas may make it challenging to accommodate larger vessels or increase port capacity, which could limit its potential to support long-term economic growth.

In conclusion, Puerto Armuelles stands out as a strategic and sustainable choice for port development in Panama. Its favourable site conditions, operational efficiencies, and low environmental risks make it an ideal location for a multipurpose port that aligns with both growing the economy and protecting the environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Exploring Puerto Armuelles: A Strategic Alternative for Port Development in Panama

1/ What is the alternative to Puerto Barú for port development in Panama?

The alternative to Puerto Barú for port development in Panama is Puerto Armuelles. Puerto Armuelles offers natural deep-water access, reducing the need for costly dredging and minimizing environmental impacts, while also providing ample space for future expansion.

2/ Why is Puerto Barú facing concerns from environmental campaigners and residents?

Puerto Barú is facing concerns due to the potential impact that extensive dredging and port operations will have on the mangroves, marine life and other species.

3/ Why is Puerto Armuelles considered to be the preferred alternative to Puerto Barú?

Puerto Armuelles is considered to be the optimal location for Chiriquí’s new port, meeting and exceeding the stated operational requirements for the development due to its natural deep-water access, logistical advantages, ample space for future expansion and the lack of protected mangroves in the area.

4/ What are the environmental impacts of developing a port in Puerto Armuelles?

Developing Chiriquí’s port in Puerto Armuelles will minimize the need for dredging, thereby protecting the David Mangrove Forest. The mangroves are home to multiple critically endangered species, the most endangered sea turtle, the hawksbill sea turtles, the black-crowned central American squirrel monkey and green sea turtle.

In addition, the area is also home to bottlenose dolphins, birds, monkeys, iguanas, fish, crustaceans and mollusks. There have also been numerous sightings of the endangered green sea turtle nearby.

5/ How would the economy benefit from developing a port in Puerto Armuelles?

The economic impacts include job creation, attracting investments, boosting trade, stimulating local economies, increasing property values, and providing space for future expansion to support long-term economic growth.

6/ How accessible is Puerto Armuelles?

Puerto Armuelles already offers viable access routes to the Pan-American Highway for cargo transportation.

7/ Who conducted the report on Puerto Armuelles?

The assessment into Puerto Armuelles was conducted by international firm Lynker, a leading environmental modelling engineering consultancy.