Tender alert: Panama Canal Authority offers key arrivals and departures duty-free opportunity
The stores will offer duty-free goods on arrivals and departuresfor ships going in each direction. In recognition of the duality concept, the project has been dubbed ‘A Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama’ – a title than can be read in either direction.
PANAMA. The Panama Canal Authority (PCA) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to operate a trio of duty-free stores at various points along the Panama Canal.
The 80-kilometre waterway, opened in 1914, serves as a maritime shortcut designed to save time and costs in transporting goods between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
It serves around 15,000 ships every year, a mix of cargo and cruise vessels carrying millions of crew members and passengers.
The new stores, which will be run on a management contract rather than concession basis, will raise critical funds for a newly launched global publicity campaign to keep the maritime passage in Panamanian hands.
This follows US President Donald Trump’s repeated assertion that he wants to “take back” the Panama canal and his call on the Pentagon to provide military options to ensure the country has full access to it.
The stores will offer duty-free goods on an arrivals and departures basis for ships going in each direction. In recognition of the duality concept, the project has been dubbed ‘A Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama’ – an ingenious title that can be read in either direction.
Home delivery – with free shipping – will also be on offer.
A spokesperson for the PCA told The Moodie Davitt Report the business offers a unique opportunity for an innovative retail partner. “It will be the world’s first dual crews and cruise retail enterprise,” she said.
Asked why the PCA had opted for a management contract model rather than a traditional concession agreement, the spokesperson said the possibility of operations being interrupted by a US takeover of the Canal necessitated a force majeure-based fair share of risk and reward. “Besides we didn’t want the term MAG misunderstood by the Americans,” she added.
“The successful retailer will be able to sell a wide range of categories including liquor, tobacco, fragrances and cosmetics and destination merchandise,” the spokesperson continued.
“Together with our partner, we plan to offer a diverse array of site-specific travel-retail exclusives. A leading Panamanian fragrance house has already expressed interest in creating a quintet coffret called Canal No.5 – an ultra-premium scent complete with on-trend top notes of musk.
“William Grant & Sons has pledged to provide a Sailor Jerry line extension; while we are also in talks with Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail about launching an exclusive blended Scotch whisky called Shippers Regal. And, of course, in case of an American attack we’ll also be carrying container loads of Canadian Club.” 
TENDER ALERTThe Moodie Davitt Report is the industry’s most popular channel for launching commercial proposals and for publishing the results. If you wish to promote an Expression of Interest, Request for Proposals or full tender process for any sector of airport or other travel-related infrastructure revenues, simply email Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com. We have a variety of options that will ensure you reach the widest, most high-quality concessionaire/retailer/operator base in the industry – globally and immediately. The Moodie Davitt Report is the only international business media to cover all airport or other travel-related consumer services, revenue-generating and otherwise. Our reporting includes duty-free and other retail, food & beverage, property, passenger lounges, art and culture, hotels, car parking, medical facilities, the internet, advertising and related revenue streams. Please send relevant material, including images, to Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com for instant, quality global coverage. |
