This in from CentralAmericaData.com

In the first 8 months of 2011, Panamanian ports moved 4.2 million 20 foot containers, 20.5% more than during the same period in 2010.

Using these figures, the port operators estimate that a total of 6 million TEUs will have been moved by the end of the year, which represents about 500,000 more than in 2010.

“However, some are cautious about the picture for next year, due to the possible impact of the world trade crisis occurring in Europe and the United States.

According to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), almost half of the economic development of countries in the region is due to trade, which is handled largely by the port terminals”, reported Prensa.com.