Osaka, Japan – September 6. Panama proudly celebrated its National Day at Expo 2025 Osaka, in a day marked by the presence of a distinguished Panamanian delegation led by the President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, accompanied by the First Lady, ministers, deputy ministers, and other high-ranking national authorities. The official agenda began with […]
Panama National Day celebrated at Expo 2025 Osaka Read More »
Imazo, Japan – September 9, 2025. As part of the official agenda of the Panamanian delegation in Japan, Panama participated in the naming and delivery ceremony for a new vessel chartered by A. P. Moller – Maersk, which will proudly fly the Panamanian flag. The Panamanian delegation was led by the Minister and Administrator of the
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.
A Fruitful Relationship Between Nations: The Vision of Panama’s Merchant Marine Read More »
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
President Mulino meets with Japanese shipowners to strengthen Panama’s ship registry Read More »
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
IMO Secretary-general pays offical visit to the Panama Maritime Authority Read More »
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
Panama to require full traceability for offshore oil transfers Read More »
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 Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) has taken immediate and decisive action Read More »
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
Panama will not register oil tankers and bulk carries older than 15 years Read More »
On behalf of our country, we are pleased to Welcome you to the Website of The General Consulate of Panama, in Kobe Japan.
It is an honor to serve as Consul General of this office which has its consular jurisdiction over the Fukui, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu regions.
We are located in the second metropolitan region of Japan and in one of the largest shipping centers of the world. Furthermore, we supervise and work together as a team with the office of the Panama Maritime Authority located in the city of Imabari, which is a sister city of Panama city.
Our office essentially provides Maritime and Consular Services along with the promotion of the Panamanian culture and the enhancement of the trade and academic relationships between Panama and the people, companies and institutions of western Japan.
This site aims to provide general information about our country, the Panama Merchant Marine along with other consular and cultural services that our office provides within western Japan, giving you a better understanding of the role and functions of our Office.