Panama City, Panama, may soon have a new, large marina, according to developers Marine Scene Limited, who recently moved operations from New Zealand to Panama. Marine Scene is a multihull specialist company, selling both new and used boats, as well as providing rigging services, mechanical and electrical services, and marine equipment. Company owner Mike Barker described the new facility on the Marine Scene Web site:
"As many of you have seen we have moved our operation to the Republic of Panama on the other side of the Pacific. Why? It still amazes me that while Panama is the centre of the sailing world it has almost zero facility for yachtsmen. No proper marinas, little boatbuilding, no sailmaker, no riggers, no…. I could go on but you get the picture I am sure. It is true that Panama has the World's largest merchant vessel fleet and accordingly has excellent big ship facilities and metal trades, bunkering and supply companies etc which can adapt or be adapted for the yachting and cruising fraternities. This still leaves huge gaps to fill and I am endeavouring to do so by creating a very large marina (990 berths, 35 superyacht berths, 4500 vessel hardstand, 300 boat drystack, all the ancillary services this location demands) and encouraging local and foreign businesses to weigh in with their expertise. We ourselves are already providing rigging services, marine electrical and mechanical services and agency for a variety of product."