Amid an ongoing diplomatic tension globally, Panama said it will withdraw its flag from vessels that violate sanctions and international legislation, the Panama Maritime Authority told Reuters. This comes following removal of about 60 ships linked to Iran and Syria from the Panamanian registry in recent months.
As Reuters reports, Panama’s Maritime Authority that after Grace 1 was seized by British Royal Marines in Gibraltar, they de-listed it from Panama’s international boat registry as of May 29. The Panamanian Authority highlighted that Grace 1 was de-listed after receiving an alert indicating that the ship had participated in or was linked to terrorism financing.
From 1st April 2018, all companies operators and ROs acting o behalf of the Panama Maritime Administration must follow certain procedures to conduct verification audit process. This aims to ensure the correct implementation and certification of the ISPS Code on board Panamanian flagged ships, operating in international waters.
The Panama Maritime Authority issued a Circular to alert Shipowners, operators, masters, companies of Panamanian flagged vessels to implement the security measures needed to prevent stowaways from entering, either at sea or on arrival. When a stowaway is discovered, it reflects that the vessel failed to implement its Ship Security Plan.
As AP reports, Japan surpassed China and is becoming the second-biggest user of the Panama Canal, in light of a trade war between Beijing and Washington. The US remains the leader in using the canal. China’s third place is due to the fact that there’s a decrease in shipments of natural and liquid petroleum gas as the Asian giant is buying less of them from the United States.
SAFETY4SEA, in collaboration with SHIPPINGInsight, is pleased to announce that Panama Maritime Authority has received the 2019 Hellenic American Maritime Centre Award, sponsored by HudsonAnalytix, at a gala dinner and award ceremony which successfully concluded on May 29th at Megaron Athens, The Banqueting Hall, the evening on day one of the inaugural Hellenic American Maritime Forum, in Athens.
On 7-10 May, staff with the US Coast Guard’s Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise (LGC NCOE) delivered training on all aspects of LNG to representatives from the Panama Canal Authority and Panama Maritime Authority, and first responders.
The Panama Maritime Authority issued a merchant mariner circular to inform all clients that their Administration adopted the Red Ensign Group Yacht Code (January Edition 2019) through Resolution No. 106- 82-DGMM dated 12 September 2018, that has been developed by United Kingdom, the Crown Dependencies and the UK Overseas Territories which operate shipping registers from their jurisdiction
The expanded Panama Canal met on March 22, 1.000 days of operation, exceeding expectations and redefining global trade routes. From the first days of its operations in 2016, the waterway saw an increase in cargo tonnage, as a result of the transfer of new segments and new line services.
In order to improve the exchange of information regarding PSC inspections to Panamanian-flagged vessels, Panama Maritime Authority requires all Masters, owners, operators and Recognized Organizations to report immediately all PSC inspections reports to Port State Control Section.
