Preguntas frecuentes Puerto Barú
Do you have questions about Puerto Barú? Find the answers you’re looking for here! We’ve compiled the most frequently asked questions so you can learn more about our project, its impact, and how we contribute to the sustainable development of the region.
- Project
The Puerto Barú project in David is located in the District of David, Corregimiento of Chiriquí. The project lands, private and titled since the 1920s, are also known as Puerto Cabrito since this site was used in the 60s for the movement of citrus products and export. The project seeks to give continuity to that history and serve the needs of the province of Chiriquí and western Panama.
The greater maritime connectivity at the national level, the better. It is for this reason that as a project we promote the vision of the different ports, including Puerto Armuelles, Pedregal, and also Aguadulce. Puerto Barú in David, specifically, is due to the fact that the Cabrito area, where the terminal will be built, has a strategic location about 10 kilometers from the Inter-American Highway and close to the Enrique Malek international airport.
Likewise, the idea was visualized 50 years ago for a critical export project due to the site's characteristics for a terminal. This is a terminal oriented to the movement of agricultural products, the improvement in logistical connectivity, and the reception of tourist vessels. In relation to Pedregal and Puerto Armuelles, they are complementary ports, since Puerto Armuelles is more aimed at deep draft vessels that Puerto Barú cannot receive, while Pedregal focuses more on fishing activity.
Puerto Barú in David will be a multipurpose terminal to serve handysize vessels, with the capacity to transport cargo in bulk and in containers. This will allow the management of agricultural goods, fertilizers, grains and other inputs that are part of the production dynamics of Chiriquí and the region. It will also have a dock to receive mini-cruise ships and yachts, so that passengers and crew can disembark at the port and take advantage of the tourist offer of the western region of the country. Likewise, the idea was visualized 50 years ago for a critical export project. due to the site's characteristics for a terminal. This is a terminal oriented to the movement of agricultural products, the improvement in logistical connectivity, and the reception of tourist vessels. In relation to Pedregal and Puerto Armuelles, they are complementary ports, since Puerto Armuelles is more aimed at deep draft vessels that Puerto Barú cannot receive, while Pedregal focuses more on fishing activity.
The project has the investment of a group of North American businessmen and the support of Panamanian professionals with experience in the logistics sector who have confidence in the development opportunities of Chiriquí and its human talent. For further reference.
This is a completely private capital project developed on private land.
The port complies with all authorizations and steps established by Panamanian laws with entities such as the Maritime Authority of Panama (AMP) and the Ministry of the Environment. In January 2023, the Category III Environmental Impact Study was presented to the latter office and the public consultation forum was held on March 9, 2023.
This is a completely private capital project developed on private land.
- Social and economic impact
The Puerto Barú project in David is located in the District of David, Corregimiento of Chiriquí. The project lands, private and titled since the 1920s, are also known as Puerto Cabrito since this site was used in the 60s for the movement of citrus products and export. The project seeks to give continuity to that history and serve the needs of the province of Chiriquí and western Panama.
The project is committed to working hand in hand with local authorities such as the community boards of the towns of Chiriquí, Pedregal, David, and Boca Chica, as well as with the Municipality of the District of David, and entities such as the Benemérito Corps of Firefighters and the National Police. Initiatives are being worked on to implement together with the authorities to reinforce security in the area, improve access to drinking water for the communities, and implement better garbage collection and disposal systems.
Being the most important logistics investment in Chiriquí of private capital, Puerto Barú in David plans to inject dynamism into the regional economy, not only with the generation of direct jobs, but also indirect and induced ones, both during its construction and later with its operation.
Preliminary analyzes have estimated about 1,200 direct jobs during construction and then 900 jobs during its operation, in addition to about 500 indirect jobs as a result of the collateral activities that the terminal will generate.
The project is committed to working hand in hand with local authorities such as the community boards of the towns of Chiriquí, Pedregal, David, and Boca Chica, as well as with the Municipality of the District of David, and entities such as the Benemérito Corps of Firefighters and the National Police. Initiatives are being worked on to implement together with the authorities to reinforce security in the area, improve access to drinking water for the communities, and implement better garbage collection and disposal systems.
One of the main and most immediate impacts will be on tourism, where this engine alone can generate 300 jobs as a result of the facilities that the port will provide.
Puerto Barú in David will have the capacity to receive mini-cruise ships and yachts, and it is estimated that around 40 mini-cruise ships arrive in the area per season, carrying on average 450 passengers and up to 100 crew members. This would represent the entry of more than 20,000 new tourists to the province by sea who to date are arriving in the Gulf of Chiriquí, but they are not being provided with any type of service.
To date, the project has been presented directly to more than 5,000 citizens over the last two (2) years, citizens who today endorse the project, and who belong to our database as active participants in the process. of consultation.
Additionally, what was the project's public forum recorded the highest participation and duration of a public forum for a Category III project in the last 5 years, in the entire Republic of Panama. (700 citizens on attendance lists).
At the level of organized civil society, the project has received more than 40 statements of formal institutional support in the file, from institutions such as the Panama Maritime Chamber, CAMCHI, COEL, CECOMRO, Industrial Union, ARPA, Communal Board of the Corregimiento of Pedregal , Communal Board of the Corrigimiento of Chiriquí, National Federation of Artisanal Fishing Organizations of the Republic of Panama (FENAPESCA), among others.
Puerto Barú in David will have the capacity to receive mini-cruise ships and yachts, and it is estimated that around 40 mini-cruise ships arrive in the area per season, carrying on average 450 passengers and up to 100 crew members. This would represent the entry of more than 20,000 new tourists to the province by sea who to date are arriving in the Gulf of Chiriquí, but they are not being provided with any type of service.
- Environment
The project's consulting team, Planeta Panamá Consultores, is led by Dr. Manuel F. Zárate. Under his direction, more than 25 qualified professionals have participated in the preparation of the Category III Environmental Impact Study.
Additionally, the project began preliminary studies by the team for more than three (3) years to obtain a Feasibility Environmental (April 2022) as a milestone prior to the presentation of the EsIA, and thus guarantee compliance with all current environmental regulations.
As part of its responsible commitment to the ecosystem, Puerto Barú in David has allocated more than 25% of its private land for mangrove conservation. This initiative covers four essential points: an Ecological Corridor, a Buffer Zone, a Botanical Garden and Protection Forests. These additional efforts demonstrate the environmental integrity of the project, actively contributing to the preservation and restoration of valuable local ecosystems. In addition, planning includes international considerations, aligning with the International Maritime Organization, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and international environmental standards to guarantee sustainable development that is respectful of the environment. This dedication reinforces Puerto Barú's commitment to responsible environmental practices, ensuring a positive impact on the biodiversity and general health of the surrounding ecosystem.
This dedication reinforces Puerto Barú's commitment to responsible environmental practices, ensuring a positive impact on the biodiversity and the general health of the surrounding ecosystem. Additionally, the project began preliminary studies by the team more than three (3) years ago to obtain an Environmental Viability (April 2022) as a milestone prior to the presentation of the EsIA, and thus guarantee the compliance with all current environmental regulations.
The project will have drinking water extraction on private lands through well technology with a depth of more than 250 meters. In this way, the project will guarantee that it will not be connected to the existing supply networks that supply neighboring communities. This dedication reinforces Puerto Barú's commitment to responsible environmental practices, ensuring a positive impact on the biodiversity and general health of the surrounding ecosystem. Additionally, the project began preliminary studies by the team more than three (3) years ago to obtain an Environmental Viability (April 2022) as a milestone prior to the presentation of the EsIA, and thus guarantee compliance with all current environmental regulations.
The project is located 3 kilometers from a Solar Park, where it will supply its energy needs through Renewable Energy solutions for green infrastructure certification.
Navigation legislation in national waters will be followed and respected as established by the AMP in conjunction with the IMO. These are the same controls that exist in Panama Bay for access and exit to the Panama Canal.
In its entirety, the project generates a net annual saving of 64,000 tons of CO2 nationwide, due to logistical efficiency on the loading dynamics in the West of the Country.
We will deepen the natural river channel through a non-invasive process that solely extracts clay, silt, and sand from the riverbed