The maritime, logistics and port sectors never stop; they are a constant source of income which supplies an important economic contribution to the nation. Proof of this is the Panama Maritime Authority’s (PMA) position as the third institution in monetary contributions to the Panamanian State.

For this reason, after all the pertinent consultations have been carried out, we put in place a management model that allows using viable economic/financial spaces to strengthen the country’s business platform while facing global events that affect our national reality, without jeopardizing the nation’s health integrity.

Thus, by means of the approval of the Board of Directors’ Resolution No. JD-032-2020, whereby the payment for anchoring passenger ships in ports, berths, anchorage areas and marines in the nation’s territory, for ships registered under the Panamanian flag, is suspended for a period of ninety (90) calendar days, we seek to make the services offered by the auxiliary maritime industry more attractive to ships that transit or arrive at our ports.

The Resolution also sets a 50% discount on certification services of foreign seafarers who serve aboard ships of the Panamanian registry, whose service is on passenger ships that belong to an economic group registered in the Panamanian Merchant Marine, more than ten (10) ships of this type; and a discount of up to 50% on technical documentation service fees for foreign seafarers who work aboard ships of our registry that enroll cadets to carry out the required seagoing service, as well as companies that offer job opportunities to Panamanian naval officers, this being one of the resources used to boost the country’s economy.

Likewise, it stipulates that the ships at anchor must comply with the rules and regulations set forth to avoid marine pollution and the comprehensive management of waste and residues, applicable to all port and shipyard facilities in the Republic of Panama.

The Resolution stipulates the prohibition of crew change and any type of disembarkation, unless the Ministry of Health (MINSA) expressly authorizes it.

Panama is a geographically privileged country, holder of a competitive logistics hub that is showing the world the efficiency and effectiveness of its services, as well as how to quickly adapt to changes and be resilient in favor of the economy to attract money and thus meet the needs of the entire population.

Source: Panama Maritime Authority