The Panamanian port system handled 2.93 million TEUs in the first eight months of 2008, a 14.2 percent increase compared to the same period last year, Chilean paper Marítimo Portuario reported on its website.
The country's port authority (AMP) expects 2008 to end with movement of over five million TEUs, in contrast to the 4 million TEUs handled in all of 2007.
Growth was fastest at Manzanillo International Terminal and Cristóbal port - administered by Panama Ports Company (PPC) - which saw their traffic increase 27.6 percent and 21 percent, respectively.
Meanwhile, traffic at Balboa port - also managed by PPC - rose 18.2 percent.
However, Colón Container Terminal saw an 18 percent drop in container movement in the comparison period.
The country's port authority (AMP) expects 2008 to end with movement of over five million TEUs, in contrast to the 4 million TEUs handled in all of 2007.
Growth was fastest at Manzanillo International Terminal and Cristóbal port - administered by Panama Ports Company (PPC) - which saw their traffic increase 27.6 percent and 21 percent, respectively.
Meanwhile, traffic at Balboa port - also managed by PPC - rose 18.2 percent.
However, Colón Container Terminal saw an 18 percent drop in container movement in the comparison period.