Bill 637.

Summary.

The bill would establish the National Logistics, Maritime and Port Integration System in the Republic of Panama (República de Panamá) to coordinate implementation of the National Logistics Strategy and the National Maritime Strategy. It would cover public and private entities involved, within their legal powers, in managing, supervising, authorizing or overseeing activities in the logistics, maritime and port chain, as well as the coordination systems and mechanisms introduced under the bill. It defines logistics, maritime and port integration, digital interoperability, digital traceability and interinstitutional coordination. In describing maritime and port integration, it connects the Maritime and Port Plan 2040 with the intermodal system.

The System would be a permanent technical and operational mechanism. It would create no new administrative body and would preserve the legal powers of participating institutions. The text identifies ports and airports, special economic zones and free zones, and the network of roads, highways and freight terminals as components of the logistics hub. It places the Maritime Authority of Panama (Autoridad Marítima de Panamá) in charge of coordination. The listed public bodies would coordinate and integrate their activities within their respective powers. They would also ensure that their systems, platforms and procedures can exchange information securely and promptly, make procedures traceable and simplify processes.

The Single Maritime Window of Panama (Ventanilla Única Marítima de Panamá, VUMPA) would become part of the System as a digital tool for managing and integrating maritime and port procedures. Competent public bodies would take steps toward the progressive interoperability of their digital services with VUMPA or other technological mechanisms introduced under the System. The Maritime Authority of Panama, working with those bodies, would prepare an action plan setting out phases, priorities and coordination arrangements. It would report annually to the Logistics Cabinet (Gabinete Logístico) and the National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional) on progress and results. The prioritized plan mentions PORTCEL, a Technical Committee, an RFID traceability pilot and broader participation in the Interoperability Bus in the short term (2025-2026); digitized foreign trade procedures and improved intermodal connectivity in the medium term; and value added logistics and measurement of economic impact toward 2030.

The Executive Branch (Órgano Ejecutivo) would issue implementing regulations within no more than six (06) months after promulgation, and competent public bodies would adopt administrative, operational and technological measures for progressive implementation. The proposed law would take effect on the day following its promulgation. Other related bodies are the Panama Canal Authority (Autoridad del Canal de Panamá), National Customs Authority (Autoridad Nacional de Aduanas), Ministry of Trade and Industry (Ministerio de Comercio e Industrias), Ministry of Economy and Finance (Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas), National Authority for Government Innovation (Autoridad Nacional para la Innovación Gubernamental), National Public Services Authority (Autoridad Nacional de los Servicios Públicos), Ministry of Agricultural Development (Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario), National Migration Service (Servicio Nacional de Migración), Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud) and Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (Autoridad de los Recursos Acuáticos de Panamá). The measures would affect logistics, maritime, port and foreign trade activities.