Vessel Registration
International Service Ships
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. Vessels dedicated to fishing or that provide support to fishing must show the Fishing License issued by the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP). In case not to have a Fishing License at the time of registration, you must submit a Letter of No Objection, likewise, issued by the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP).
5. 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. Vessels dedicated to fishing or that provide support to fishing must show the Fishing License issued by the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP). In case not to have a Fishing License at the time of registration, you must submit a Letter of No Objection, likewise, issued by the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP).
5. 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 written request, must detail the time for which the registration of the ship in the Special Registry is required, indicating the beginning and ending day, month and year also the name and address of the ship’s charterer, and the name and address of the ship’s mortgagee, if any.
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. Vessels dedicated to fishing or that provide support to fishing must show the Fishing License issued by the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP). In case not to have a Fishing License at the time of registration, you must submit a Letter of No Objection, likewise, issued by the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP).
7. Any other additional document required by the General Directorate of Merchant Marine
Special Lay-Up Registry
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).
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.
In the case of ships from offshore registries, a document of cancellation of said registry shall be provided.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Any other additional document required by the General Directorate of Merchant Marine.
Statutory Navigation Registry
Requirements:
| 1. Original resident agent designation instrument. If it is issued offshore it shall be presented duly authenticated. |
| 2. Evidence of registration of the property title to the ship in the Public Registry of Panama. |
| 3. Original or authenticated copy of the certificate of cancellation of the previous registration or construction certificate in the case of newly built ships, or document proving the judicial sale, which if issued abroad must be duly authenticated. |
| 4. International Tonnage Certificate. |
| 5. Proof of payment of applicable rights. |
| 6. Vessels dedicated to fishing or that provide support to fishing must show the Fishing License issued by the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP). |
| 7. Copy of the Insurance Certificate or other Financial Security related to International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage from Ships (BCC 2001), for ships of 1,000 GRT and over (Insurance Certificate or other Financial Guarantee related to Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage), when applicable. |
| 8. Copy of the Insurance Certificate or other Financial Security related to International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC 92), for Oil Tankers of 2,000 tons of dead weight and up (Insurance Certificate or other financial guarantee related to civil liability for oil pollution damage), when applicable. |
| 9. Copy of the Insurance Certificate or other Financial Security in regards to Liability for Death or Injuries of Passengers (PAL2002), for all passenger ships (Insurance Certificate or other Financial Security in regards to Liability for the death of and personal injury to passengers), when applicable. |
| 10. Copy of the Financial Securities for Repatriation cases MLC 2006 (MLC 2006, A2.5.2-Financial security for repatriation). |
| 11. Copy of the Financial Security related to Ship-owner Responsibility (MLC 2006, A4.2.1-Financial Security related to Ship-owner Responsibility), when applicable. |
| 12. Any other additional document required by the General Directorate of Merchant Marine. |
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.
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.
Update Of The Documents Of Navigation By Transference Of Property Title Of Ship’S Name
Requirements For Its Obtention:
1. The ship should be in good standing with its due taxes and the navigation documents.
2. Original of the ship’s resident agent designation instrument. If it is issued offshore it shall be presented duly authenticated.
3. Prima Facie evidence of the ship’s property or the intention to acquire said property.
4. Public Registry Certificate of the ship free of encumbrances or addressing knowledge of the mortgagee.
5. Any other requirement that the General Directorate of Merchant Marine demands.
6. Payment of fees, of B/.1,000.00
Update Of The Navigation Documents Due To Changes Of Authority In Charge Of The Radio Accounts, Dimensions And Tonnage, Change Of Service Or Resident Agent.
Obtention Requirements:
1. Request presentation.
2. The ship should be in good standing of its due taxes and the navigation documents.
3. Payment of the rights of the requested procedure.
4. Active SMC for change of service, when applicable.
5. Audit certificate issued by the RO in case of tonnage change.
6. Original of the ship’s resident agent designation instrument. If it is issued offshore it shall be presented duly authenticated.
Cancellation Of The Registry Under The Shipowner’S Request
- Requirements For The Cancellation Procedure:
1. The ship should be in good standing.
2. Original Public Registry Certificate free of encumbrances.
3. To pay the cancellation fees.
4. To prove the ship’s property title in the name of the requestor, if the document is issued offshore it shall be presented in a duly authenticated original.
5. Evidence of the cancellation of the previous registration or a certificate of new construction, when that’s the case. If the documents are issued offshore, they should be presented duly authenticated.
6. Payment of fees, of B/.1,000.00
- The Cancellation Request Shall Contain:
1. The name of the ship buyer, in case of transference of the property title.
2. The new registry of the ship after the cancellation of the Merchant Marine.
3. The motive by means of which the cancellation is requested.
4. Any other information required by the General Directorate of Merchant Marine.
Interior Service Ships
Registration Requirements:
1. The registry request shall be presented at the General Directorate of Merchant Marine or other subordination of the Panama Maritime Authority that has been empowered for such end, by the shipowner or his representative directly, without the need of a lawyer.
2. Ship’s name reservation.
3. Tonnage and Appraisal Diligence provided by the Inland Waters Service section of the Navigation and Maritime Safety
4. Proof of Ownership of the ship, through the purchase and sale contract, the invoice and/or construction certificate. In the absence of those documents, you could submit the Affidavit detailing how you acquired the ship.
5. Invoice, contract or Affidavit of the Engine of the ship.
6. Proof of payment of import taxes or proof of presentation of the corresponding bond before the General Directorate of Customs, or the document stating the exemption from import tax, if applicable.
7. Copy of the valid identity card or passport of the owner or Company Articles of Incorporation, as applicable.
8. Photographs showing the correct name of the ship painted on the portside, starboard.
9. Photographs of the back (stern), with the engine installed.
10. Vessels engaged in fishing or that provide support to fishing must submit the No Objection Note or Fishing License issued by the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP).
11. In the case of ships devoted to non-commercial activities, an original sworn declaration for private use, giving faith of the fact that the ship shall not be used for commercial purposes. If issued offshore it should be duly authenticated.
12. Any other document required by the General Directorate of Merchant Marine.
Goodstanding Certificate
Requirements:
1. Payment of the document rights (B/.10.00)
2. Payment of the yearly inspection fee.
3. Payment of the yearly taxes.
4. Payment of the franchise tax.
5. To bear a Navigation Patent or its valid extension.
6. Payment of any other fee that might be pending, either as executory fine, payment confirmation, books, certifications, messages etc.
Consent Of Cancellation Of A Registry Ship
Requirements To Grant A Cancellation Consent Certificate:
1. The ship should be in goodstanding.
2. Public Registry Ship Certificate.
3. To pay for the definitive cancellation rights of the ship of Panamanian Registry.
Data Certification
Requirements To Grant A Cancellation Consent Certificate:
1. Formal Request
2. Payment of the corresponding rights
3. Copy of the Public Registry Certificate, when applicable.
The certifications might be issued by the General Directorate of Merchant Marine or by the Privative Consulates of Merchant Marine or by the Privative Consulates of Merchant Marine, the Economic and Commercial Offices of Panama abroad, or by any other dependence authorized for these objectives by the Panama Maritime Authority, with the previous authorization of the General Directorate of Merchant Marine.
The General Directorate of Merchant Marine, shall only authorize certification on the information recorded in the registries to the party’s request, when the ship is in goodstanding, except in the cases in which the certification is required to set up judiciary processes or due to request of the mortgagee, in which cases the certificate shall indicate that it will only be used for some definite purposes.
Certificate Of Panamanian Ship Registry Under Abroad Bareboat Chartering
1. The request of consent shall indicate the abroad bareboat chartering, name of the charterer and the country of register under chartering. The issuance of the consent certificate is subjected to the payment of rights.
2. To present a copy of the Chartering Contract.
3. The Panamanian ship registered temporarily in a special chartering registry abroad, shall continue subjected to all the legal and fiscal obligations of the Republic of Panama.
4. They shall not register in the registry abroad their property title or liens.
5. The shipowner shall have the obligation to contribute to the General Directorate of Merchant Marine a constancy of the ship registry in the special registry of chartering abroad.
6. Vessels dedicated to fishing or that provides support to fishing, must show the International Fishing Charter Vessel License issued by the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP), in such a way that the charter period does not exceed the validity of the International Fishing Chartered Vessels
Name
Jose Miguel Arauz
Chief of the Department of Ship Registry.
Aniutska Serracín
Consular Assistance Section.
jmarauz@amp.gob.pa
aserracin@amp.gob.pa
amptelex@amp.gob.pa
Phone
501-5021
501-5014