The Panama Ship Registry administered by the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), for the first time, has become eligible for "Qualship 21 Program", which has been in existence for more than twenty years. This represents a milestone for the Panama Ship Registry and demonstrates the institution´s effort and its human resources in changing working methods and fleet monitoring.
The Qualship 21 program was established by the U.S. Coast Guard on January 1, 2002, and was designed to ensure safe and environmentally friendly maritime commerce. To qualify for this program, vessels must comply with the established requirements, which encourage those exemplary vessels that have been inclined towards compliance and good environmental management.
To achieve this objective, a series of measures were implemented to guarantee the reduction of possible detentions upon arrival´s Panamanian flagged vessels in ports of the United States (U.S.A.), among which we can mention:
It was made mandatory that all Panamanian flag vessels that will transit or visit ports in Panama prior to their arrival in the United States must undergo a Flag State Inspection as soon as they arrive at any port terminal or anchorage area in Panama.

  • By Effective August 1, 2022, the AMP initiated a special flag inspection program that was implemented for vessels arriving at U.S. ports whose PSC history makes them for a Port State Control Inspection by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The General Directorate of Merchant Marine of the AMP, by means of the Department of Navigation and Maritime Safety, in conjunction with the Flag Inspectors, the Recognized Organizations, and the Segumar Technical Offices located in the United States, Panama, among other regions worked to achieve this great objective together.
The national government of the Republic of Panama and this Maritime Administration, encourage ship owners, operators, and captains to maintain the highest standards to ensure a safer as possible to innovative, and sustainable industry, always having as principle the protection of the human life at sea and the environment.

Panama flag Users continue to benefit from the Panama - China Maritime Agreement

The Panama Maritime Authority, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama, have renewed the Agreement on Maritime Transport between the Government of the Republic of Panama and the Government of the People's Republic of China.
This agreement came into force July 20, 2021, at the end of the renewal process between the Panamanian and Chinese authorities. 
The agreement renewal will be extended to five years, up from 3 years, and will strengthen trade relations between the two nations, and Panama Ship Registry‘s commitment to its users entering ports located in the People's Republic of China.
The renewal of this Agreement represents a series of unique advantages for shipowners who have registered their vessels under the Panamanian flag, such as:

• Appropriate measures to facilitate and expedite maritime transport to avoid unnecessary delays; granting favorable treatment in the collection of tonnage fees based on preferential rates.

• Promote maritime and port development; full and efficient use of the maritime fleet to meet foreign trade demand.

• Ensure the safety of navigation and protection of the environment (including the safety of vessels, crews, passengers and cargo).

• Improve the business relationship and exchange of scientific and technological experiences; and exchange information on international maritime organizations and conventions.

• Include the protection of the maritime environment, the development of marine resources, the observation of the sea, forecasting and warning of natural disasters and research, development and training on marine maritime issues.

• Promote the supply of services to Panama-flagged vessels.

• Increase the demand for maritime transport services for export and industrial production.

• Maintain close relations that allow free and unimpeded access of Panama-flagged vessels for cargo traffic to and from China.

The Panama merchant fleet’s vessels will maintain the same uninterrupted port tariffs benefits and preferential treatment in the ports of the People's Republic of China, reaffirming the status of "Most Favored Nation".
This Agreement on Maritime Transport is based on equality, mutual benefit, freedom of navigation and the principle of non-discrimination for Panama-flagged vessels operating in Chinese ports.