Panama Maritime Authority Merchant Marine Notice Flag Annual Safety Inspection for vessels transiting through Panama with a destination of the ports in the Paris MoU Area

We learnt this month, November, that the Panama Maritime Authority has issued

Panama Maritime Authority Merchant Marine Notice No MNM-13/2022.

For a copy see here:

https://www.panamaconsulate.gr/gr/en/articles/panama-maritime-authority-merchant-marine-notice-mmn-132022

It is understood that the Panama Maritime Authority with a view to maintain their White List status in the Paris MoU, has made it compulsory for all Panamanian- flagged vessels transiting or visiting Panamanian ports prior to their arrival to any port or terminal in Paris MoU area to undergo a Flag Annual Safety Inspection (ASI) as soon as they arrive at any port or terminal in Panama.

The Paris MoU States

The current member States of the Paris MoU are Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

It is understood that non-compliance with the provisions of this requirement will be subject to sanction by the Administration.

Refusal for the first time carries a penalty of US$10,000.

Recurrence will be grounds for the cancellation of the Panamanian registry immediately.

Ship owners / operators and masters of Panama-flagged vessels have been advised to be guided by above and ensure compliance.