Mr. Alejandro de León, Consul General of Panama in Kobe, was invited to the delivery ceremony of the ‘’MV Siete Glorias”—owned by Toei Japan, a renowned shipowning company based in Kobe—held in the city of Imabari. This invitation reflects the close relationship Panama maintains with key players in the Japanese maritime industry and the confidence placed in Panama’s diplomatic representation in Japan.
During the ceremony, the Consul General was honored to serve as the ship’s godfather, a distinction symbolizing Toei Japan’s appreciation and regard for Panama and its Ship Registry, which is a preferred choice for Japanese shipowners. He was also designated to officially name the vessel, a gesture underscoring the importance of the Panamanian flag within the Japanese maritime sector and the value shipowners place on Panama’s diplomatic presence in the region.
The event brought together prominent representatives of the Japanese maritime industry, including operators, shipowners, financial institutions, shipyards, insurers, and law firms specializing in maritime law. The diversity and caliber of the attendees highlighted the event’s significance within the Japanese maritime calendar and provided an ideal platform to boost the visibility of the Panama Ship Registry among strategic sector stakeholders.
During the celebration, the Consul General delivered a toast expressing his gratitude for the invitation and the trust placed in Panama. He congratulated the shipowners, the shipyard, and the technical team on the project’s successful completion, highlighting the quality of Japanese engineering and Toei Japan’s commitment to operational excellence. He also emphasized the importance of continuing to strengthen cooperative ties between Japan and Panama—particularly in the maritime sector, where both nations share a historic relationship built on trust, efficiency, and mutual interest.
