What is Puerto Barú?

A multipurpose
green port

From Panama’s agro-industrial cradle in Chiriquí, Puerto Barú in David emerges as the country’s first green port and the western region’s first multipurpose development. With 100% U.S. investment, it promotes sustainable growth in agribusiness, logistics, and tourism.

Designed under high environmental standards, it will handle container, bulk, liquid, and tourism cargo, integrating into the regional logistics network. Its location — 11 km from the Pan-American Highway and 15 km from David — positions it as a new driver of connection, competitiveness, and sustainable development for Panama and Central America.

The origin of Puerto Barú

The story of
Puerto Cabrito

The area now known as Puerto Barú has a strategic history linked to logistics and agroindustry.
Originally called Puerto Cabrito, it was conceived in the 1960s by U.S. entrepreneur Daniel Ludwig for a citrus development with an export dock.

After the collapse of the Chiriquí River bridge in 1982 and during closures of the Pan-American Highway in 2022, 2023 and 2025, it again served as a key supply point. Today, Puerto Barú modernizes that historic vision: to connect Chiriquí sustainably with international trade.

Project Pillars

Transforming Chiriquí, Driving Panama Forward

Logistics

Puerto Barú will transform the logistics system and maritime infrastructure of Panama’s western region.
As a multipurpose port, it will have three specialized docks — one commercial, one for liquid cargo, and one for tourism — within a 124-hectare development that includes the David Free Zone, a Production Free Zone.

It will be the first port outside the Canal Area to enable cabotage, directly connecting the country’s western region with the capital. Its strategic location will strengthen agro-industrial exports and integration with Pacific and Asian logistics chains, positioning Chiriquí as a key hub for sustainable international trade.

Agroindustry

Puerto Barú will transform Panama’s agribusiness by directly connecting its main production areas with international markets. Its strategic location will reduce transport time and logistics costs on key routes, achieving savings of up to 70% and expanding export opportunities to North America, Latin America, and Asia.

Through the David Free Zone, the project will offer cold-chain, storage, and value-added services in one place. This integration strengthens sector competitiveness, fosters innovation, and ensures sustainable growth for producers and communities in the western region.

Tourism

Chiriquí is already a major tourism center in Panama: one in every five visitors to the country explores this province, drawn by its nature, mountains, beaches, and culture. With Puerto Barú’s tourism dock, a new nautical gateway to the Panamanian Pacific will open, designed to receive 40,000 visitors per year, with plans to double that number.

This infrastructure will promote nautical tourism, with capacity for mini-cruises and mega yachts, boosting the region’s hotel, culinary, and tour-service industries. Puerto Barú will strengthen Chiriquí as a sustainable and competitive international tourism destination.

Project Timeline

From Vision to Reality

  • 2020
    Start of studies

    Technical and feasibility studies for the Puerto Barú project began.

  • 2021
    October
    Provisional Port Concession

    A provisional concession was granted by the Panama Maritime Authority to develop the Environmental Impact Study.

  • 2022
    April
    Marina Concession

    A concession was issued for the development of the marina, as a nautical and tourism infrastructure.

  • 2023
    March
    Land Use and Zoning Study

    Approval was granted for port and industrial land use for the Puerto Barú project area.

  • 2024
    January
    Category III Environmental Impact Study

    The Ministry of Environment approved the Category III Environmental Impact Study, ensuring environmental viability of the project Resolution DEIA-IA-0003-2024.

  • 2025
    april
    Final Port Concession

    The official port concession was received, signed by the Panama Maritime Authority, enabling the start of Puerto Barú’s maritime and logistics activities.

  • 2025
    August
    Free Zone Concession Application

    An application was submitted to the Ministry of Commerce and Industries to operate the Free Zone: David Free Zone.

  • 2025
    September
    Fuel Free Zone Concession Application

    The application was submitted for authorization and operation of the Fuel Free Zone before the National Secretariat of Energy.

  • 2025
    November
    Start of preliminary works

    The field operations phase began, which includes preparing access roads to the project area.

  • 2026
    April
    Start of construction

    Construction of the first phase of the port is scheduled to begin during the first quarter of 2026.

  • 2028
    Q1-Q2
    Start of operations

    Once construction of the first phase is completed, operations will begin with a commercial dock, a liquid cargo dock, a container yard, and a fuel zone.

Business and Services

The New Multipurpose Ecosystem of Chiriquí

Puerto Barú is a 124-hectare integrated development that goes beyond traditional port operations. Along with its specialized docks — commercial, liquid cargo, and tourism — it includes infrastructure for storage and value-added services, with silos, a logistics park within the David Free Zone, and a Production Free Zone to boost competitiveness and exports.

It will also feature a liquid tank farm, marina, and eco-residential area, all designed under high sustainability standards. Puerto Barú will be an economic ecosystem that integrates logistics, industry, and tourism.

Multipurpose Infrastructure and Services

Designed for the sustainable growth
of Chiriquí and Panama

Port Infrastructure

The project will feature a 500-meter commercial berth, a 150-meter liquid cargo berth, and a 100-meter tourism berth, with an 11-meter draft, green energy systems, and a total development area of 124 hectares.

Port Services

The port will offer handling of dry, refrigerated, and perishable containers; bulk cargo; breakbulk and project cargo; storage; a container yard; vessel-side services; and 24/7 customs operations.

Specialized Logistics and Handling

The project includes silos with a capacity of one million tons per year and a liquid tank zone capable of storing 1.6 million barrels per month.

Special Zones and Storage

The development will include a Fuel Free Zone and the David Free Zone, a production-oriented area integrating a logistics park, cold-storage facilities, and 24/7 operational security.

Tourism and Recreation

The project will boost regional tourism through a berth for mini-cruises and mega-yachts, a marina, hotel development, restaurants, tour operators, and eco-residential spaces, projecting over 40,000 visitors per year.

Incentives and Benefits

The project will offer a competitive regime with 0% taxes on overseas operations and re-exported goods, reduced operating costs, and benefits that will drive sustainable economic growth in Chiriquí.

Project Leadership

Vision, experience, and commitment in every stage

Scott M. Kalt
Main Principal & President

Co-founder of Ocean Pacific Investments (OPI), developer of Puerto Barú, and Managing Partner at Elkins Kalt LLP in California. Leading corporate attorney specialized in mergers, acquisitions, and corporate governance.

John McKeown
Main Principal & CEO

Co-founder of OPI and California business entrepreneur with broad international experience in energy, infrastructure, and real estate, leading strategic projects in Panama.

Ismael González
director

Panamanian entrepreneur and finance specialist with more than 20 years of experience in logistics, trade, and agribusiness, leading the Puerto Barú project from Panama and driving its strategic development.

Key Actors

Joining efforts to connect Chiriquí with the world

Center for Competitiveness of Western Panama

We work closely with the Center for Competitiveness of Western Panama (CECOMRO) on initiatives and projects that promote sustainable regional development, aligned with Puerto Barú’s strategic pillars.

Chiriquí Chamber of Commerce and Industry

We work together with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chiriquí to promote investment, strengthen business competitiveness, and position the province as a strategic hub for regional development.