The Republic of Panama, due to its strategic geographic position and the existence of the Panama Canal, has become to be the pillar of the maritime trade between the nations of the world. The Panama Maritime Authority is now the oldest and largest global registry open to vessels. The Panamanian ship registry accepts vessels own by local and aliens, under the condition of compliance with the standards related with seaworthiness, maritime security, pollution prevention and control, certification and guardian for seafarers, technical, social and tax matters standards.
The process for registering ships under the Panamanian flag is very simple and expeditious. You can start with a request for a provisional license through a legal representative (suitable in the Republic of Panama) or in the Panamanian consulates accredited abroad, for which you shall bring the required information and payment of the corresponding fee.
Once all documents are received and the payment of the corresponding fees done, a provisional patent shall be issued by the authorized consulate or the main office in Panama, which duration is six months and a provisional radio license for three months. The complete process takes about 3 working DAYS!
The Statutory Certificate of Register and Radio License are only issued in Panama. Its duration is of four years and is granted after all documents have been submitted and delivered to the Maritime Authority of Panama. Likewise, it is required the title of ownership of the vessel has been duly recorded in the Public Registry of Panama. In the case of the vessel radio license, it is issued when the interested party submits the application duly completed of the communication equipments that the ship has onboard, and complies with the GMDSS.
Grace Period: In case the owners of the ship can not provide any of the above documents for the provisional license, you can request for a grace period of six months to submit the missing document.
• Power of attorney granted by the owner of the vessel. It must be authenticated, legalized and enabled.
• Ownership title of the vessel duly recorded in the Public Registry.
• The vessel shall be update with its tax payments.
• Tonnage or load certificate issued by an authority recognized by Panama and its confirmation by the office in New York.
• Original certificate of sale (Bill of sale), Title of Property Deed.
• Certificate of cancellation of previous registration.
• Construction Certificate (if new construction).
• Technical certificates belonging to the vessel according with international agreements.
• Application for Radio License.
The Maritime Authority of Panama allows the provisional registration of ships under construction. The entity grants the patent number and call sign. The registration fee is paid until the ship is ready to sail, at which time the rest of the taxes shall be paid and the corresponding documents issued.
n until the ship is fit to sail, at which time the rest of the taxes must be paid and issued the documents.
The registry of titles of ownership of a vessel can be made for personal use or through a corporation in Panama. Read more about corporations in http://www.chenleeyasociados.com/sociedades-offshore.html.
The ship registration may be:
FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact maritime@chenleeyasociados.com or call us at (507) 360-5533.
