The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has officially commenced the IMSAS audit (IMO Member State Audit Scheme) of the Republic of Panama, as part of the global initiative designed to ensure that Member States uniformly implement and enforce international maritime instruments. Mandatory since 2016 for all IMO Member States, the IMSAS audit will be conducted in […]

Following a successful tour by the Panamanian government, the Director of Panama’s Merchant Marine highlights the success of a historic and fruitful relationship between the two nations.

President José Raúl Mulino met with more than 40 representatives of shipping companies from Japan’s Kanto region, where he presented Panama’s new ship registry strategy aimed at safeguarding its global leadership through enhanced safety standards and fully digitalized processes. Mulino emphasized that Panama’s registry is positioning itself as the flag of the future, driven by

The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA), through the Directorate General of Merchant Marine (DGMM), held a roundtable with the International Association of Recognized Organizations (IARO) to review, update, and align Panama’s Ship Registry regulations with the demands of the global market. The meeting brought together PMA officials and leading classification societies within the IARO, marking a

Arsenio Domínguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), carried out an official visit to the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) as part of his first mission to the country since taking office in January 2024. He was welcomed by Luis Roquebert, Administrator of the PMA, together with the institution’s directors and deputy directors. “I am

The Panama Ship Registry has become the first naval registry in the world to implement stricter controls and mandatory traceability for offshore ship-to-ship (STS) transfers of hydrocarbons. This new measure, which came into effect on August 6, 2025, is outlined in Resolution No. 106-035-DGMM issued by the Directorate General of Merchant Marine. According to Article

The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) has taken immediate and decisive action in response to the recent inclusion of a company, a Panamanian citizen, and 17 vessels registered under the Panamanian Ship Registry on the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions list. The measures implemented include: As a preventive measure,

The Panamanian Ship Registry has updated its policies to optimize the operational performance of its fleet, minimize the risk of detentions, and prevent the entry of vessels from the so-called “ghost fleet.” From now on, the registration of oil tankers and bulk carriers older than fifteen (15) years will no longer be accepted. This measure

The General Directorate of Merchant Marine (DGMM) of the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) has issued a series of warnings to Panamanian-flagged vessels due to rising tensions in the Middle East, through Maritime Notice MMN-04/2025.  The DGMM highlighted the security risks faced by vessels operating near Iran, Israel, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and

Imabari, Japan – The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) actively participated in the renowned maritime exhibition BARISHIP 2025, held in the city of Imabari, Japan, reaffirming its leadership in the international maritime sector and strengthening strategic ties with key players in the Asian industry. The Panamanian delegation was led by the Minister of Maritime Affairs and