DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/5d45a5/panama_freight_tra) has announced the addition of the "Panama Freight Transport Report Q1 2011" report to their offering.
Panama Freight Transport Report provides industry professionals and strategists, corporate analysts, freight transportation associations, government departments and regulatory bodies with independent forecasts and competitive intelligence on Panama's freight transportation industry.
In mid-July BMI believed a strike conducted by nearly 700 workers involved in the expansion of the Panama Canal was likely to be resolved quickly and would not affect the completion of the Panama Canal expansion project. Nevertheless, BMI cautioned that political risk, and in particular public unrest, remained a major obstacle to the development of the maritime sector in Latin America, and that it could yet hinder the canal's expansion.
Negotiations had started between representatives of the striking workers and Grupo Unidos por el Canal (GUPC), the international consortium handling the project. It was hoped that the talks would bring an end to the dispute, which had paralysed work on the project for 10 days. Workers were demanding better wages, transportation, more sanitary working conditions and other improvements, taking industrial action just six days after the official inauguration of the US$3.1bn project, which will see a third set of locks added to the canal.
Local market conditions are supportive for the Panamanian freight transport industry, although there is both light and shade in the outlook. Following the 2009 recession, weak demand is persisting in the US economy, and the recovery that is playing out in Panama is consequently moderate. After growth slowed to 3.4% in 2009, BMI see the pace picking up to 4.1% this year, and then to 5.1% in 2011. Two recent decisions bode well: increased Panama Canal rates and the liberalisation of mining laws to allow the development of the Cerro Colorado copper project could boost fiscal revenues, diversify exports, and in the case of Cerro Colorado create a major new source of demand for dry bulk freight. On the other hand these and other moves on labour legislation by President Ricardo Martinelli could boost opposition protests, particularly from trade unions and environmental groups.
Key Topics Covered:
- Executive Summary
- SWOT Analysis
- Freight Transport Business Environment Ratings
- Industry Trends And Developments
- Industry Forecast Scenario
- Market Overview
- Company Profiles
- Country Snapshot: Panama Demographic Data
- Methodology
Companies Mentioned:
- COPA Holdings
- Panama Canal Railway Company
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/5d45a5/panama_freight_tra