FTL Freight Transportation Service in Panama
Panama is the logistics center par excellence of the Americas, connecting oceans, continents, and economies through its unique geographic position and world-class infrastructure. At Control Terrestre, we recognize the strategic role this country plays in global supply chains and offer Full Truckload (FTL) transportation solutions designed to leverage its exceptional connectivity and respond to the demands of its most dynamic economic sectors.
As a natural bridge between North America and South America, and with the Panama Canal as the axis of world maritime trade, the country concentrates international logistics operations, manufacturing, regional distribution, and financial services. Its network of modern ports, specialized free trade zones, and continuously developing road corridors consolidate it as an indispensable hub for companies operating in global markets.
Infrastructure and connectivity
Panama has approximately 15,000 kilometers of road network, where the Pan-American Highway is the main artery that crosses the country from east to west, connecting the border with Costa Rica at Paso Canoas with the Darién province. This route integrates the country's main economic centers: Panama City, the Canal Zone, Colón, and the central provinces.
The Panama-Colón corridor is one of the busiest in the country, connecting the capital with the Colón Free Zone, the second largest free trade zone in the world, and with the Atlantic port complexes. This route facilitates constant movement of goods between both oceans and is fundamental for re-export and regional distribution operations.
Panama's port infrastructure is among the most advanced in the region. On the Pacific, Port of Balboa and PSA Panama International Terminal handle large volumes of containers. On the Atlantic, the ports of Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT), Colon Container Terminal (CCT), and Cristóbal concentrate transshipment and trade operations with the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean.
The Inter-American Highway connects the central provinces (Coclé, Herrera, Los Santos, Veraguas) with the capital, facilitating the movement of agricultural, livestock, and consumer products. To the west, the connection with Chiriquí and the Costa Rican border at Paso Canoas is critical for Central American trade.
Key industries and sectors
Logistics and re-export
The Colón Free Zone is the engine of re-export activity in Panama, concentrating electronics, textiles, automobiles, and consumer goods that are redistributed to Latin America and the Caribbean. This sector demands dedicated services and expedited freight to meet critical delivery windows. Our network offers 53-foot dry vans for movements between ports, the Free Zone, and distribution centers.
Manufacturing and free trade zones
Beyond the Colón Free Zone, the country has industrial parks and free trade zones in Panama City, Pacífico, and other regions, where light manufacturing, assembly, call centers, and service companies operate. These operations require efficient national ground transportation for raw materials and finished products.
Agribusiness and fresh products
The central provinces and Chiriquí produce coffee, fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products. For perishable products, we offer refrigerated transportation that guarantees the cold chain from production areas to consumption centers in the capital or export points. We have refrigerated units equipped to preserve quality during transit.
Trade and retail
Panama City concentrates most of national consumption and functions as a distribution center for imported products. From the city's ports and warehouses, goods are distributed to the country's interior and to Central American markets. Our coverage in Central America enables integrated connections for companies with regional operations.
Construction and infrastructure
The construction sector is significant in Panama, demanding transportation of heavy materials, machinery, and equipment. We have flatbeds and specialized units for oversized cargo, guaranteeing compliance with safety regulations in the transportation of these materials.
Our solutions for Panama
Through our alliance of strategic providers, we offer FTL solutions adapted to the operational characteristics of the Panamanian market:
National ground transportation
We move cargo between the main economic centers: Panama City, Colón, Colón Free Zone, David, Chitré, Santiago, and the country's free trade zones. We use 48 and 53-foot dry vans for manufacturing, consumer products, and re-export operations.
Cross-border freight transportation
We operate the route between Panama and Costa Rica through the Paso Canoas border, facilitating trade with Central America. Our knowledge of customs processes at this crossing streamlines transit times. As part of our regional coverage, we coordinate the complete corridor to Mexico and other Central American countries.
Export and import freight
We manage cargo movement to and from Panama's main ports: Balboa, MIT, CCT, and Cristóbal. We offer container chassis for port-to-warehouse, port-to-Free Zone, and port-to-plant movements, optimizing foreign trade logistics and transshipment operations.
Refrigerated transportation
For agribusiness and perishable products, we offer refrigerated units with temperature control from origin to final destination. This service is fundamental for producers from the central provinces and Chiriquí that supply urban markets or export points.
Dedicated and expedited services
For Colón Free Zone operations and companies with critical time requirements, we have dedicated services that prioritize specific loads, as well as expedited freight for urgent shipments demanding reduced transit times between ports, free trade zones, and distribution centers.
Available unit types
- 53-foot dry vans: For re-export, manufacturing, and consumer goods
- Refrigerated units: For agribusiness and perishable products
- Container chassis: For port operations and foreign trade movements
- Flatbeds: For machinery, equipment, and oversized cargo
- Straight trucks: For urban distribution in Panama City and other major cities