Panama is in Central America bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean.

Ship Registration:

The Panama Ship Registry, established in the first quarter of nineteenth century, is now one of the oldest and the largest of the open ship registers.

Our office serves as a one-stop-shop for ship registration with the Panamanian Flag. Please contact us and we will guide you the whole procedures and assist fulfilling the requirements of registration.

Our services ensure the applicant a smooth and fast registration process. Provisional registry may be obtained within 48 hours, depending on time difference.

We offer..

-Provisional registration

-Single voyage registration

-Extension of registration

-Bareboat registration

-Mortgage registration

-Supply of Panamanian Log Books

-Seafarer Endorsements

-Flag State Inspections

-Exemption, extension, authorization for various technical matters

-Crew dispensation/Extra crew authorization

-Issuance of Annual Tax receipts

-Issuance of Minimum Safe Manning, ITC , Endorsement on declaration of DPA, ISM Code Company & CSO, CLC, Bunker Insurance Certificate, CSR, ISSC etc.

-Laid up registration -Permanent registration

REQUIREMENTS: 

As per law 57 of August 6, 2008 which came in force on February 6, 2009 the foreign going ship registration procedures are as follows:

I. PROVISIONAL SHIP REGISTRATION

1.      A Power of Attorney in our favor (associate) granted by owners (duly signed) in order to register the vessel to be kindly sent to us by fax or e-mail.

2.      Prima Facie evidence of ownership or of the intention to acquire ownership of the vessel; and

3.      Evidence of payment of applicable taxes and fees.

* Owners shall provide any other additional document if so requested by the Directorate General of Merchant Marine.

- Upon successful completion with these requirements, a set of Provisional Statutory Certificate of Registry and Radio Station License will be issued with a validity of six (6) months. The vessel shall have this provisional period to fulfill the requirements for obtaining permanent registration and radio license.

- We can arrange extensions of the validity of these provisional documents for a period of three months or more if the condition is such that due to some unavoidable circumstances owners do require so; however, charges and fines shall be applied.

II. PERMANENT SHIP REGISTRATION

A. General Requirements

-Original Power of Attorney from owners to register the vessel duly apostilled or authenticated by a Consulate of Panama;

-Evidence of ownership of the vessel in the form of the original Bill of Sale or Court-ordered Public Auction (duly apostilled or authenticated by a Panamanian Consulate). In the case of a new construction, the original Builder`s Certificate must be presented (duly apostilled or authenticated by a Panamanian Consulate);

-Certificate of incorporation of the Panamanian company under which the vessels will be registered, if applicable. This certificate must be issued by the Public Registry of Panama;

-Deletion certificate proving that the vessel has cancelled its former registry and has the consent of the country of former registration to transfer registry to Panama;

-Annual Safety Inspection (ASI) performed by the Navigation and Security Maritime Department.

-Receipt of payment of applicable taxes and fees.

B. Technical Requirements

B.1. For all Cargo Ships

1. Copy of the International Tonnage Certificate (ITC);

2. Continued Synopsis Record Certificate (CSR);

3. Copy of Safety Management Certificate (SMC);

4. Copy of Document of Compliance with ISM Code (DOC) by the managing company; and

5. Copy of the International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC).

B.2. Additional Requirements for Oil Tankers

1. Copy of International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate, with its proper form.

* Owners shall provide additional document if so requested by the Directorate General of Merchant Marine.

III. REQUIREMENTS FOR DELETION FROM THE SHIP REGISTRY

Formal petition must be submitted to the Directorate General of Merchant Marine for an official deletion certificate. Please call us for the assistance.

Ship cancellation should be requested by, or on behalf of, the rightful owners and the cancellation may be granted if, among others, the vessel:

1. has paid all taxes and fees to the Panamanian government, including the ship cancellation fees;

2. is free of encumbrances; and

3. where applicable, has the deletion certificates from previous registries or having a builder`s certificate.

* Owners shall provide additional documents if so requested by the Directorate General of Merchant Marine.

- The application for cancellation from the ship registry should clearly specify, among others, the name of  the new owner (if there is a change of ownership), the flag under which the ship is intended to be registered, and the reasons for cancellation.

- In addition to the above and at the request of the parties, the Directorate General of Merchant Marine may issue a pre-cancellation notice with a validity of 30 days, provided that the vessels settled all taxes and fees due, is free of encumbrances and has paid the cancellation fee.

Facilities: -

Statutory surveys may be carried out by IACS and several Non IACS members

- There is no age limitation for your vessel to be registered in Panama however a 20 year inspection would be required for vessels which are applying for permanent registration.

- Non IACS members may be used for all type and size of vessels.

- No nationality restrictions on officers or crew

- Crew certification from IMO "white listed" countries.