Panama implements additional requirements for vessels calling in Paris MoU ports that may be subject to PSC inspections

The Panama Maritime Authority has issued a merchant marine circular informing about additional requirements for Panama-flagged vessels calling in Paris MoU ports that may be subject to PSC inspections.

According to the latest annual report of the Paris MoU, Panama has been placed on the Grey List for the performance of flag administrations.

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The Panama Ship Registry has fallen 10 places in the Paris MoU Annual Report, dropping into the Grey List.

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As an Administration, our main objective is to return to the White List of the Paris MoU for the next annual report.

To achieve this, a checklist (see ANNEX) has been created to help Ship-Owners, operators, technical managers, Designated Persons Ashore (DPA), and vessel Masters identify potential weaknesses that could lead to detention during Port State Control Inspections by Paris MoU.

The checklist must be sent to psc@amp.gob.pa ninety-six hours before the vessel arrives at Paris MoU ports.

For voyages lasting less than 96 hours, the checklist must be sent at least twenty-four hours before arrival.

This checklist is mandatory for all Panamanian vessels before arriving at Paris MoU ports and must be signed by the vessel Masters and/or company Designated Persons Ashore (DPA).

Failure to comply with this requirement may result in administrative sanctions for the vessel Master, Chief Engineer, and/or the vessel company.

In case of extraordinary issues, such as equipment failures or other situations that cannot be resolved immediately on board the vessel, Ship-Owners, operators, technical managers, DPA, or the vessel's Master must promptly coordinate effective corrective actions with the vessel's Recognized Organization (R.O.) and Segumar Offices. Simultaneously, the PSC Authority must be informed, as required by regulation 11 "Maintenance of conditions after survey," SOLAS Chapter I.

This document was published on 1 July 2023.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):

PARIS MOU Pre-ports Arrival Checklist for Panama Flagged Vessels