Isla Maritime, Tampa, Fla., a marine services provider specializing in vessel salvage and commercial diving, announced it has expanded operations into Panama through a partnership with J.A.M. Marine Dockyard, Veracruz, Panama, a ship repair and maintenance facility. The companies said the partnership positions them to respond to maritime incidents across Panama’s waterways, including the Panama Canal.
The Panama Canal Authority projects nearly 12,000 vessels will transit the canal in fiscal year 2026. The canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and serves as a key link to Central and South America, making it a critical route for global trade. The companies said combining Isla Maritime’s international experience with J.A.M.’s local infrastructure is intended to improve regional maritime readiness and maintain navigability.
“Panama's waterways are essential for maintaining efficient global commerce and trade operations, but when a maritime incident occurs, what follows are supply chain disruptions, rising costs, and uncertainty,” said Aileen Caras, CEO of Isla Maritime. “With Panama's strategic location in the center of the Americas, Isla Maritime is now at an advantage to respond to maritime incidents quickly, while international companies just begin to mobilize personnel and resources.”
Under the partnership, the companies will offer salvage operations and wreck removal services, including hot tapping, fuel removal, cargo lightering, and refloating. Commercial diving services will include hull cleaning, underwater inspections, marine construction, salvage, and underwater welding and burning. The teams include commercial divers, shipboard engineers, naval architects, and class-certified welders.
“This partnership is more than a business collaboration — it represents a bridge between local expertise and international experience,” said Alejandro Villarreal, CEO of J.A.M. Marine Dockyard. “Together, J.A.M. and Isla Maritime are building stronger, faster, and more efficient response capabilities for maritime incidents that benefit not only Panama but the broader region. This collaboration enhances safety, operational readiness, and mutual trust across borders.”
