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To strengthen Panama’s competitiveness as a global logistics hub, this study conducts a reverse-engineering analysis of the country’s land transportation system to identify optimization opportunities and enhance its integration into global logistics networks by contrasting it with the hubs of Singapore and Rotterdam. The research aims to uncover intrinsic inefficiencies and transferable best practices to bolster Panama’s position as a strategic logistics center. A qualitative documentary case-study approach was adopted, applying a rigorous reverse-engineering protocol that included systematic decomposition of the system, critical analysis of inefficiencies, qualitative benchmarking against international references, and the design of context-specific solutions. The findings reveal marked disparities: Panama faces high land-transport costs and deteriorated road infrastructure, compounded by congestion. Regulatory and technological barriers expressed through complex bureaucratic processes and limited digitalization undermine operational efficiency and technology adoption. Compared to other places, Singapore and Rotterdam have better road infrastructure, adaptable regulatory frameworks, and widespread use of technology, resulting in better logistical performance. The study concludes that Panama’s shortcomings are systemic, arising from a lack of coordination among road infrastructure, technological adoption, regulatory frameworks, and intermodal integration, which prevents the country from fully leveraging its geographic advantages. The necessary transformation must be comprehensive rather than incremental: technological advances should be supported by enabling regulations and preceded by the resolution of operational inefficiencies to catalyze Panama’s global logistical competitiveness.
Este obra está bajo una licencia de Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0 Internacional.
