UNESCO Warns Panama Over Port Development
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has raised concerns that a new port development in Panama could impact a World Heritage site. The multi-million dollar Puerto Barú project in David is located near Coiba National Park. The warning highlights potential environmental risks from the construction.
The $250 million, privately-funded Puerto Barú project is slated to include a cargo terminal, a tourism terminal for small cruise ships, a logistics park, and a fuel storage area. The first phase of construction, which includes the pier and container yard, is projected to take 24 months to complete. Developers estimate the port will generate over 1,200 direct jobs during its operational phase and more than 500 indirect jobs. The project's location in the Gulf of Chiriquí requires dredging through 19.57 miles of the Manglares de David protected area. This involves removing approximately 9 million cubic meters of sediment initially, with an additional 800,000 cubic meters dredged every two years for maintenance. Environmental analyses estimate this could lead to economic losses from environmental damage of between $29.6 million and $54.6 million over 20 years. Coiba National Park, a UNESCO site since 2005, is located approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the proposed port. The park is a refuge for species that have largely vanished from mainland Panama, such as the scarlet macaw and the crested eagle. Its marine zone hosts 760 species of fish, 33 shark species, and 20 species of whales and dolphins. Increased maritime traffic is a primary concern, with even low estimates of 1.7 to 2.5 ships per day posing a threat to marine life, including the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle and humpback whales that use the area as a nursery. The region is also designated as an Important Shark and Ray Area, vital for the survival of the critically endangered Pacific smalltail shark. Developers have labeled Puerto Barú as Panama's "first green port," planning to operate on 100% renewable energy and designate 30% of the project's land for conservation. However, a coalition of over 50 conservation groups has organized a "No to Puerto Barú" campaign, advocating for the project's relocation. These environmental groups, supported by an independent engineering study, propose moving the port to Puerto Armuelles. A 2004 government-funded study had previously identified this alternative location as having deeper natural harbors and calmer waters, potentially reducing environmental harm.
