Panama Maritime Authority initiates a temporary campaign aiming to prevent possible PSC detentions to Panamanian flagged vessels as per latest MMN 02-2022. By this, all Panama flagged vessels over 20 years of age that arrive at any port in the countries that are signatories of #ParisMoU will be subjected to a Flag Safety Inspection (#FSI) each six (6) months.
FLAG SAFETY INSPECTION FOR VESSELS WHICH OPERATE IN PARIS MOU
MEMBER STATES
No: MMN-02/2022
1. As you are aware the Paris MoU implemented an initiative to identify high-quality ships
and flag registries by providing incentives to encourage quality operations. This
initiative is called White List, and through this initiative, high-quality vessels should be
recognized and rewarded for their commitment to safety and quality.
2. Panama currently belongs to the Paris MoU White List; however, we have detected an
increase on detentions within the Paris MoU jurisdiction. We have detected also that
among other reasons that one of the most common factor is related to the vessel´s
age. Being the most detained vessel, those older than 20 years of construction.
3. For the aforementioned and in order to maintain our whitelist status in the Paris MoU,
this Administration has decided that all Panama flag vessels over 20 years of age that
arrive at any port in the countries that are signatories of this MoU, shall be subject to a
Flag safety inspection (ASI) each six (6) months.
4. Ship-owners are requested to provide full support to the duly approved ASI inspectors
holding an Authorization to carry out this flag inspection. The inspection must be done
in situ, no remote flag inspection should be allowed, and a full report must be sent
through the platform and/or to our navigation and maritime safety department in cases
where deficiencies are found and actions from the master, crew or company is
requested.
5. This campaign is temporarily and is preventing possible detentions, and / or delays to
vessels of the Panama Flag Registry.
6. Non-compliance with the provisions of this marine notice will be subject to monetary
and administrative sanctions and if there is recurrence found, the removal/cancellation
of the vessel from the flag registry may be applicable.
Full MMN 02-2022 can be downloaded at: MMN-02-2022-PARIS-MoU-24-02-2022.pdf (panamashipregistry.com)
