NEW TEAM LEADING THE PANAMA MARITIME AUTHORITY SETS PRIORITIES

Panama's new President Laurentino Cortizo has sworn in his cabinet and with it a new team for the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) that oversees the maritime sector and the world’s largest Ship Registry.

Noriel Arauz, a naval architect, will be the AMP Administrator and Minister of maritime affairs. Arauz is praised for good technical knowledge and his appointment has been applauded by the local maritime sector.
He will be accompanied by nautical engineer Samuel Ferreira as deputy administrator; and at the direction of merchant marine and head of the Ship Registry by nautical engineer Rafael Cigarruista.
Cigarruista has a wealth of experience in Casualty Investigation, Flag Inspection, Classification, Certification of Vessels and STCW (seafarers) requirements, having worked previously in different areas all related to the flag implementation requirements and responsibilities.
Arauz told Seatrade Maritime News that one of his objectives is “to integrate the sea to the politics and economy of Panama and enforce special training for Panamanian seafarers.”
“My priority is to make sure we respect international conventions, be ready for the Sulphur Cap of 2020 since we have an important bunker sector, maintain our flag position in the White List of Paris MoU and continue to give our Ship Registry customers a good and efficient service.”
“We have also to work in preparation to receive the Audit of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) which measures Panama's compliance with the OMI Compulsory Instruments, which must be carried out in the year 2021.”
“In addition to current international regulations, there are regulations that will come into force as of next year, such as those seeking to reduce to 50% sulphur oxide emissions from ships, and those related to illegal fishing, with the certification of the crew members on board the fishing vessels and with the procedures of supervision by the State Master of the port worldwide,” said Arauz.