Panama: List of electronic certificates

Panama has welcomed the use of guidelines for the use of electronic certificates adopted by the IMO Facilitation Committee, and issued a List of Certificates, as well as a list of Recognized Organizations authorized on the issuance of Electronic Certificates.

The use and acceptance of electronic statutory certificates, including printed versions of electronic certificates is an initiative well supported by the Panama Maritime Authority, in order to reduce the instances of Port State Control authorities denying the validity of these certificates, resulting in a burden to the master and crew, ship owner or operator, Port State Control authorities, Administration, and other stakeholders,

…the Panama Maritime Authority said in a new circular.

Features of e-certificates

The use electronic certificates should include the following features:

• validity and consistency with the format and content required by the relevant international convention or instrument, as applicable;
• protected from edits, modifications or revisions other than those authorized by the issuer or the Administration;
• a unique tracking number used for verification;
• instructions for verifying the information contained in the certificate, including confirmation of periodic endorsements, when necessary, should be available on board the ship.

E-Certificates issued by the Republic of Panama

Following the initiative of the IMO and being aware of the technology advantages, the Panama Maritime Authority has implemented among the Certificates issued as prerogative of this Administration the following Electronic Certificates:

• International Ballast Water Management Certificate (IBWMC),
• Ballast Water Management Plan (BWMP),
• Certificate Of Insurance or other Financial Security In Respect of Civil Liability for Oil Pollution  Damage (CLC),
• Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC Part I),
• Minimum Safe Manning Certificate (MSM),
• International Tonnage Convention (ITC69) (duplicates),
• National Tonnage Certificates (NTC),
• Certificate of Insurance or other financial security in respect of civil liability for bunker oil pollution damage (BCC),
• Certificate of Insurance or other Financial Security in respect of Liability for the Death of and Personal Injury to Passengers (PAL),
• Certificate of Insurance or other Financial Security in respect of Liability for the Removal of Wrecks (WRC).

Recognized organizations approved for statutory e-certificates

As per the information presented to this Administration and the correspondent delegation of authority, the following Class Societies/Recognized Organizations have been approved for the issuance of electronic Statutory Certificates to Panama registered ships:

1. DNV GL
2. Nippon Kaiji Kyokai
3. Bureau Veritas
4. Indian Register of Shipping
5. Isthmus Bureau of Shipping
6. American Bureau of Shipping
7. China Classification Society
8. Korean Register of Shipping
9. RINA Services S.p.A

Explore more herebelow: