Merchant Marine
Advantages of the Panamanian Ship Registry
- Free nationality of shipowners
- Agile and efficient service (24 hours)
- Tax exemptions on utilities from maritime commerce
- Compliance with International Maritime Safety agreements
- No requisites on minimum tonnage or age of vessel
- Security in matters of Registration
- Extensive network of Consulates around the world
- Special Bareboat Registration
- Discount up to 100% for newly built vessels according to their tonnage
- Discount up to 100% for vessels belonging to an important economic group
- Discount up to 15% for vessels already registered in Panama based on non-detention by PSC during the last 24 months
Vessel Registration
The enrollment consists of two stages: provisional and permanent. The Consulate will handle the initial paperwork and is authorized to issue temporary documentation including a provisional Certificate of Registration (also known as “Patente”), valid for 6 months and a provisional Radio License, valid for 6 months.
Title Registration
The Consulate is authorized to register in preliminary form the Bill Of Sale or any other title of ownership, such as a builder’s certificate.
Mortgage Registration
The Consulate is entitled to register in preliminary form a naval mortgage against a Panamanian vessel. Mortgages are bilateral contracts between the mortgagor (ship owner) and the mortgagee (lender). The Consul shall legalize the signature of both parties. The procedure is straightforward and is usually completed within the same day.
Mortgage Discharge Registration
The Consulate is entitled to register in preliminary and permanent form a discharge of naval mortgage against a Panamanian vessel
Bareboat Charter Registration (Dual Registry)
Under bareboat charter, a ship owner leases a ship to an operator -the charterer- which becomes responsible for the operation of the vessel. According to Panamanian Law, which allows Dual Registry, that vessel, already registered in one state, may be registered under the flag of another state for the duration of the charter (up to two years, renewable).The dual registry system allows a charterer, leasing a ship registered in a country without an open registry, to benefit from the advantages of the Panamanian Registry. It also allows the ship owner to maintain the original registration, which is merely suspended during the dual registration but regains its effectiveness upon termination of the charter. The authorization of the original flagging state, as well as the ship owner’s, is necessary. The Consulate is allowed to handle the required procedure.
Name Registration
It is possible to reserve in advance the name of a vessel in construction, or scheduled for construction, provided this name is available.
Special Provisional Registration
Vessels of international service destined for scrap, delivery voyages or any other mode of temporary navigation may apply for a provisional Registry and a Radio Permit both of which are valid for three months.
Taxation Issues
Panamanian vessels are subject to the payment of a moderate annual fee calculated on the basis of their tonnage. The Consulate is specifically appointed to collect those fees and is entitled to issue official receipts instantaneously, to avoid any administrative delay.
Discounts
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Registration fees
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DIPLOMATS:
THE CONSUL GENERAL
Mr. José María Paniza González
THE VICE-CONSUL
Mrs. Claudia García de Paredes
MERCHANT MARINE AND OPERATIONS:
CHIEF OFFICER OF MERCHANT MARINE AND OPERATIONS
Mr. José Anel Ríos
CREWING CERTIFICATION DEPARTMENT:
CHIEF OFFICER OF SEAFARERS SERVICES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Mrs. Selena Jones
OFFICER OF SEAFARERS SERVICES
Mrs. Malú Pérez Rodríguez