Particle.news
Download on the App Store

UNCITRAL Rejects Sacyr’s Solo Panama Canal Arbitration

The company says it will pursue the dispute with its GUPC partners before the ICC in Miami.

Overview

  • The UNCITRAL tribunal declined to open the case filed unilaterally by Sacyr against Panama, a decision issued with a dissenting opinion.
  • Sacyr maintains the ruling will not hit its accounts because provisions are in place and says any future ICC awards could be accretive.
  • The company’s solo claim sought up to €1.7 billion over cost overruns, while GUPC’s combined claims approach $3 billion; Sacyr holds 41.6% of the consortium.
  • Earlier outcomes include a 2020 ICC order to return $240 million, a U.S. Supreme Court refusal to hear an appeal over a $265 million payment, and a 2022 recovery of $250 million in guarantees.
  • Panama prepared its defense by retaining Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer, allocating up to €5.6 million for representation.