Technical Notices

PMA has issued the RESOLUTION No.106-183-DGMM, adopting technical, registry and administrative measures of a permanent nature, in order to improve the performance of the Panama Merchant Marine and reduce the number of detentions by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) or the different Memorandums of Understanding (MOU).

PMA may require an occasional inspection that will be performed by a Recognized Organization, to those vessels that are at risk of being detained because their inspection history in the last twenty-four (24) months.

PMA may take action against the Recognized Organization, if the ship is detained after performing the occasional inspection.

PMA warns all Panama Registry vessels that are detained, at least (2) twice by the Port State Control within a period of twelve (12) months, which they may be financially sanctioned or cancelled ex officio from the Registry.

These vessels must comply with the following:

• They must show evidence of the adjustments made to the deficiencies indicated in the Port State Control report inspections, for the last twelve (12) months. Such corrections must be presented in the format established in Merchant Marine Circular 380
• They must perform an additional ISM audit with an initial scope:
  • In case of non-conformities, they must be followed and if a follow-up audit is required, they must be done within a period of no more than (3) three months after the Additional audit and / or,
  • If needed, an additional audit should be coordinated to the Company that operates the vessel with an initial scope. In case of non-conformities, they must be followed and if a follow-up audit is required, they must be done within a period of no more than (3) three months after the Additional audit and / or,
• A flag state survey must be carried out to verify the general conditions of the vessel, by a flag state surveyor
• Any other measure that Administration deems necessary depending on the case.

PMA may reject the registry of any vessel based on the following cases:

• If it has been expelled or the entry has been restricted by any of the Member States of the different Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and / or by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). . If it belongs to a high-risk list of vessels or sub-standard conditions of any of the Member States of the different Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and / or by the United States Coast Guard (USCG).
• If the conditions, age, background or the activities carry out by the vessel, are acts may affect the national interests.
• If the vessel or the companies related to it are included in sanction lists of international organizations.