The signing took place at the Palacio Bolívar in Panama City during the French Week events. It was formalised by Henry Faarup, executive secretary of Panama’s National Railway Secretariat, and Aude de Amorim, French ambassador to Panama, with Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez present as a witness.
The declaration opens the door for French technical and institutional involvement in the planning and financing stages of the project. France’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, along with Business France and the French National Railway Secretariat, is expected to provide assistance with feasibility studies, project structuring and design.
Panama is seeking involvement from companies already active in the country, including Alstom, which supplies trains to the Panama Metro. Broader participation is also planned from firms specialising in infrastructure, telecoms and bridge construction. The agreement also calls for coordination between Panamanian contractors and French industry in the delivery of rail systems and civil structures, with financing expected from the French export credit agency and the French Treasury.
The declaration follows earlier steps in the project. In December 2024, Panama awarded a planning contract to U.S.-based AECOM to prepare a master plan. The scope includes route alignment, demand forecasts, conceptual engineering and an investment plan. The first phase of construction, between Panama Pacífico and Divisa, is scheduled to begin in January 2026.
The proposed railway would stretch approximately 475 km from Panama City to Paso Canoas on the Costa Rican border. It includes plans for 14 stations and at least 70 bridges, including a crossing over the Panama Canal. Passenger trains are expected to reach speeds of up to 180 km/h, with freight operations limited to 100 km/h.
Panama has stated it intends to invest over USD 25 billion (approx. EUR 23.4 billion) in infrastructure over the next ten years. Part of this investment is expected to target logistics and transport corridors linked to the railway project.
