Panama has the third largest economy in Central America and it is also the fastest growing economy and the largest per capita consumer in Central America. Revenues from the Panama Canal represent a large amount of Panama’s GDP.
Comparing the Infrastructure of the Port in Panama vs. Gulfport, MS was a bit alarming. The Port of Gulfport has gained a solid reputation as the second largest importer of green fruit in the United States and the 3rd busiest container port on the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The Port of Balboa, on the other hand, is the largest cargo port in Latin America and serves as a hub for South America and the Caribbean.
Preliminary research was collected in reference to the infrastructure of the Balboa Port in Panama and the Port of Gulfport. An interview was conducted with Matthew Wypyski, Chief Operating Officer of the Mississippi State Port Authority-Gulfport, and with Juan Antonio Sucre, Corporate Affairs and Public Relations Chief of the Panama Ports Company.
This case study will discuss the similarities, differences, and the uniqueness of each port to its respective country/city. Information was gathered in two different ways: internet searches and interviews at each company.
The focus of this report is A Case Study Comparing the Infrastructure of the Port in Panama vs. Gulfport, MS. More specifically, this report compares the Port of Balboa to the Port of Gulfport.
In summary, the Port of Balboa and Port of Gulfport are very different. They serve different purposes in their respective country and the infrastructure of each one is tailored to meet the demand for imports and exports. For the construction industry, The Port of Balboa will allow entry for more Panamax ships to keep up with the expansion of the Panama Canal. The Port of Gulfport will have more modern terminals and mitigate risks against future storms.