Employees of tug operator Smit Panama have announced a strike to start from 0800 hours local time Monday, December 14.

Smit Panama is said to be in discussions to secure an agreement with its employees as soon as possible.

According to GAC however, if an agreement is not reached, "serious consequences may be expected for all harbour operations" at the ports where they operate (Cristobal, Bahia Las Minas, Balboa, Taboguilla and Patsa Terminal).

On a more positive note, this strike is not slated to affect Panama Canal transits as the Panama Canal Authority - Autoridad del Canal de Panamá (ACP) - owns and operates its own tug fleet.