Singapore will join an international agreement to uphold the permanent neutrality of the Panama Canal, reinforcing its commitment to maritime security and freedom of navigation, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam announced on October 5. The move coincided with the conclusion of Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino’s three-day state visit to Singapore, marking the first visit by a Panamanian head of state in a decade.
During a state banquet held in President Mulino’s honor, President Tharman highlighted the importance of small states collaborating to strengthen institutions that uphold international law amid ongoing global trade disruptions and geopolitical uncertainties. He emphasized the mutual interest both Singapore and Panama have in safeguarding freedom of navigation, particularly under the framework of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Singapore’s accession to the protocol concerning the permanent neutrality and operation of the Panama Canal signals its support for maintaining open and peaceful passage through this critical maritime route. The Panama Canal, an 82-kilometer waterway connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, has been strategically significant since its control shifted from the United States to Panama under a 1977 treaty. The protocol, which Singapore plans to join, ensures the canal remains accessible to vessels from all nations during times of peace and conflict.
President Tharman noted that 41 countries, including France, Germany, Russia, South Korea, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, and Vietnam, have already acceded to this protocol since it opened for accession in 1979. He described Singapore’s decision as part of a broader commitment to uphold maritime security and facilitate uninterrupted trade flows.
The visit also served to strengthen bilateral relations, with both leaders acknowledging the growing ties between Singapore and Panama since diplomatic relations were established in 1982. Panama ranked as Singapore’s third-largest trading partner in Latin America in 2025, with bilateral trade reaching US$6.2 billion. Both countries, situated at crucial intersections of global maritime trade routes, view their shared maritime heritage as a foundation for deeper cooperation.
In addition to joining the neutrality protocol, Singapore and Panama have agreed to commence negotiations on a bilateral mutual legal assistance treaty. This agreement will enhance cooperation in legal and law enforcement matters, facilitating information sharing and support for transnational criminal investigations and proceedings.
The visit also witnessed the signing of a partnership between Singapore-based airport ground services provider SATS and Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport. The agreement aims to boost air cargo connectivity and elevate Panama’s status as a key logistics hub for the Americas.
Earlier on October 5, President Mulino met with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and President Tharman at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Discussions centered on regional and international developments and opportunities to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, and logistics. Prime Minister Wong highlighted the potential for enhanced collaboration between Singapore and Panama, given their roles as major air and maritime hubs.
During his visit, President Mulino also toured the National Orchid Garden, where an orchid was named in his honor, underscoring the goodwill between the two nations.