DP World has secured International Air Transport Association (IATA) certification for its freight forwarding operations in Panama, marking another strategic milestone in the company’s drive to build a fully integrated multimodal logistics platform across the Americas.
The certification, announced on May 12, confirms that DP World’s Panama-based freight forwarding business meets IATA’s global standards for the safe, secure, and efficient handling of international air cargo. The approval enables the company to provide faster, fully compliant, and operationally streamlined air freight services through one of Latin America’s most strategically positioned logistics gateways.
The move further strengthens Panama’s role within DP World’s expanding regional logistics ecosystem, where air cargo is increasingly being integrated with ocean freight, inland transportation, warehousing, and customs-controlled distribution services.
Building a Multimodal Cargo Platform in the Americas
As part of its broader supply chain strategy, DP World said the IATA certification enables seamless end-to-end logistics solutions, connecting air, sea, and land corridors across key trade lanes throughout North America, Latin America, and global export markets.
The milestone follows a series of infrastructure investments by the company in Panama, including the recent launch of a new customs-bonded warehouse designed to enhance cargo consolidation, inventory management, storage, and regional distribution capabilities.
The certification also builds on DP World’s earlier IATA accreditation in Brazil, secured in January 2025, which expanded the company’s air freight capabilities across South America and laid the foundation for a broader Americas air cargo network.
Compliance, Security and Operational Excellence
According to DP World, the certification process involved a comprehensive review of its operational procedures, infrastructure readiness, security systems, shipment traceability, and compliance governance.
The audit confirmed compliance with several key international air cargo frameworks, including:
IATA Resolution 813zz (Cargo Intermediary Agreement for Latin America)
IATA Resolution 833 (“Ready for Carriage” standards)
IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR)
These standards govern cargo preparation, documentation, hazardous materials handling, and shipment integrity across global aviation supply chains.
Leadership Commentary
Manuel Martínez, Chief Executive Officer for DP World in the Dominican Republic, said the certification reflects the company’s long-term strategy of building a standardized and highly competitive logistics platform throughout the region.
He noted that aligning freight forwarding operations with IATA’s global standards enhances DP World’s ability to provide customers with secure, compliant, and efficient air cargo solutions that complement its wider ports, warehousing, and inland logistics ecosystem.
Strategic Importance of Panama
Panama continues to serve as one of the most important logistics crossroads in the Western Hemisphere, linking Atlantic and Pacific trade flows while offering rapid access to North American, Caribbean, Central American, and South American markets.
By adding internationally certified air freight capabilities to its Panama operations, DP World is positioning itself to offer customers greater supply chain flexibility, improved resilience, and faster market access amid growing demand for integrated logistics solutions.
The latest certification strengthens DP World’s role not simply as a port operator, but increasingly as an end-to-end supply chain orchestrator serving shippers, manufacturers, retailers, and freight forwarders across the Americas.
