Panama's Strong Stance: New Maritime Rules Target Ghost Fleets

Panama Cracks Down on Ghost Fleets with New Maritime Regulations Panama City, Panama – President José Raúl Mulino recently announced a significant crackdown on ghost fleets, unveiling new maritime regulations aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability within the Panamanian shipping industry. The move follows concerns about misinformation surrounding the country's ship registration process. "I mention this because I've seen very recent publications where there's been misinformation through international organizations or NGOs regarding the flag registration process in the Republic of Panama," stated President Mulino in a televised address. The new regulations have already resulted in sanctions against 214 Panamanian-flagged vessels, totaling 12,834.86 gross registered tonnage. These actions underscore Panama's commitment to combating illegal activities at sea. Furthermore, the government is implementing measures to strengthen the oversight of ship-to-ship oil transfers, a key area for potential exploitation by ghost fleets. The resolution 106035, issued this year, aims to fortify the regulations surrounding these transfers, to ensure responsible practices and maintain Panama's reputation as a leading maritime nation. The President emphasized the nation's dedication to transparency and upholding its global standards. This proactive approach is expected to significantly reduce the presence of ghost ships, promoting safety and fair competition within the industry.