Vessel Registration

Special Flagging due to Assignation

Registration Requirements

  1. To present a request of registration through a suitable attorney in Panama (in case it takes place in a Privative Consulate of Merchant Marine, Economic and Commercial Office of Panama or any other authorized entity for these purposes by the Panama Maritime Authority offshore). This request might be presented by the shipowner or its representative, through the electronic system PKI.
  2. An original and a copy of the resident agent designation instrument granted by the shipowner. In case of being issued offshore, it should be duly authenticated. (Proxy).
  3. A copy of the Construction Certificate or the Shipyard Letter.
  4. Any other additional document required by the General Directorate of Merchant Marine.

Regular Flagging

Registration Requirements:

  1. To present a request of registration through a suitable attorney in Panama (in case it takes place in a Privative Consulate of Merchant Marine, Economic and Commercial Office of Panama or any other authorized entity for these purposes by the Panama Maritime Authority offshore). This request might be presented by the shipowner or its representative, through the electronic system PKI.
  2. An original and a copy of the resident agent designation instrument granted by the shipowner. In case of being issued offshore, it should be duly authenticated. (Proxy).
  3. Prima Facie evidence of the property of the ship or of the intention to acquire said property.
  4. Any other additional document required by the General Directorate of Merchant Marine.

Special Registry of Temporary Navigation

Registration Requirements

  1. Original resident agent designation instrument. If it is issued offshore it shall be presented duly authenticated.
  2. An original or a certified copy of the document crediting the property title on the ship property. If it is issued offshore, it should be duly authenticated at the moment of its presentation.
  3. An original or an authenticated copy of the construction certificate or of the cancellation of the previous registry, duly authenticated.
  4. Any other additional document required by the General Directorate of Merchant Marine.

These documents shall be presented in original or simple copy version altogether with the registration request. When simple copies are presented their originals shall be presented within a thirty-day term.

Foreign Ship Registry under Bareboat Chartering in Panama

Registration Requirements:

The ships registered in a foreign registry and object of a bareboat chartering contract might be registered in the Merchant Marine, without giving up such foreign registry, so long as the legislation of the registry country allows it. In this case, the interested party shall present a formal request in the General Directorate of Merchant Marine through a suitable attorney in Panama or at the Consulate, the Economic and Commercial Office of Panama or at any other entity authorized for these ends by the Panama Maritime Authority offshore, or by electronic means authorized by this Authority.

The following should be attached to the request:

  1. A copy of the bareboat chartering contract.
  2. Shipowner´s consent and mortgagee’s consent (if there were any), duly authenticated.
  3. Property and encumbrance’s certificate issued by the offshore ship registry.
  4. Consent certificate of the country of the ship’s registry to its registration in the special chartering registry in Panama.
  5. Original resident agent designation instrument. If it is issued offshore it shall be presented duly authenticated.
  6. Any other additional document required by the General Directorate of Merchant Marine.

Special Lay-up Registry

Requirements:

  1. To present a request of registration through a suitable attorney in Panama (in case it takes place in a Privative Consulate of Merchant Marine, Economic and Commercial Office of Panama or any other authorized entity for these purposes by the Panama Maritime Authority offshore).
  2. The request should specify the date in which the ship was taken from the exploitation and the exact location of the ship.
  3. A power of attorney granted to a suitable lawyer in the Republic of Panama in the cases of ships coming from a foreign registry.
  4. Document stating the property title on the ship, in the name of the requestor, in case it is not registered in Panama.
  5. In the case of ships from offshore registries, a document of cancellation of said registry shall be provided.
  6. Sworn declaration by the shipowner, addressing that the ship has been taken from the exploitation and that it shall not be moved or sailed upon while it bears a special patent.
  7. The Lay-up declaration, by the Acknowledged Organization, addressing that the ship has been taken from the exploitation and/or a note by the Port Authority where the ship is, addressing that the ship is in said port because it was taken off the exploitation.
  8. Any other additional document required by the General Directorate of Merchant Marine.

Requirements for the obtention of a Navigation Provisional Patent:

  1. Original of the ship’s resident agent designation instrument. If it is issued offshore it shall be presented duly authenticated.
  2. Original or authenticated copy of the previous registry cancellation certificate or building certificate in case of new construction ships or a document addressing its judicial sale, that if issued offshore, shall be presented duly authenticated.
  3. Certificates and safety and technical documents that the General Directorate of Merchant Marine requests, regarding the type of service of the ship, its cargo and other pertinent considerations.
  4. Evidence that the ship has complied satisfactorily with the requirements demanded by the General Directorate of Merchant Marine.
  5. Receipt of payment of the applicable fees.

Any other requirement that the General Directorate of Merchant Marine demands (The interior service ships do not require to present the instrument of resident agent designation, when the flagging request has been presented directly by shipowner).

The Department of Ship Registry, may request the presentation of any other additional document it deems convenient, either by the condition of the ship, its age, the service offered or the geographical area where it navigates.

For a more detail information: