Panama tightens rules for operating ageing ships

Following the naming of 19 of its vessels in June's Paris detention list, the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) has tightened rules for operators of ageing tonnage.

AMP's Marine Merchant Marine Directorate, that administers the registry has issued a resolution that requires vessels over 20 years of age to submit to an inspection by a recognised organisation (RO) before setting sail to a port within the Paris memorandum of understanding (MoU) on port state control.

The Paris MoU consists of 27 participating maritime administrations and covers the waters of the European coastal States and the North Atlantic basin from North America to Europe.

The move is in reaction to a large number of detentions of Panamanian-flagged vessels on the Paris MoU.

If the vessel has not gone through inspection, it could "be deleted from the registry or subject to a fine", said the AMP in a statement.

Panama Registry said that it will take action against the RO "if the inspection proves no deficiencies but the vessel is [nevertheless] detained in the Paris MoU or any MoU".

The inspection should be programmed in advance and both the operator and shipowner should be notified by the RO of the necessity of such inspection.

In addition, a vessel that is more than 20 years of age, which has been detained twice in a period of six months, will be cancelled from the registry.

Starting today, all vessels that are more than 20 years must have the approval of the Department of Navigation and Maritime Safety Section Port State Control before registering under the Panama flag.

In compliance with these new directives, the Panama Registry has already cancelled 35 vessels that did not fulfill the requirements.