- Crackdown on Shadow Fleet: Panama Tightens Ship Registration Rules.
- Panama Targets Sanction Evasion with New Ship Age Limits.
- Older Tankers and Bulk Carriers Barred from Panama Registry.
The Panama Ship Registry has made a significant announcement: it will no longer accept oil tankers or bulk carriers that are over 15 years old. This move aims to enhance fleet performance, minimise the chances of vessel arrests, and keep ships from the so-called ghost fleet or shadow fleet out of the picture, reports gCaptain.
Targeting the Shadow Fleet and Sanction Evasion
The Panama Maritime Authority has pointed out that many vessels in the shadow fleet are ageing oil tankers with unclear ownership, often underinsured and employing risky practices to dodge international sanctions, particularly those aimed at Russian and Iranian oil shipments.
Implementation Through MMN 11/2024 and Precheck Process
This policy shift was officially announced through MMN 11/2024, which details the Precheck verification process that all vessels must now undergo before they can register under Panama’s flag. The decision is backed by inspection data revealing that 71% of vessel arrests from 2023 to mid-2025 involved bulk carriers, general cargo vessels, and oil tankers older than 15 years.
Additional Oversight Measures Introduced
In addition to the age limit, Panama has rolled out stricter oversight measures, including:
- Mandatory quarterly inspections for high-risk vessels
- Enhanced verification of Ship Safety Management Systems
These initiatives are designed to strengthen maritime safety and ensure compliance with international standards.
Ongoing Criticism and International Pressure
Despite having removed over 650 ships from its registry since 2019, Panama has faced continued criticism for not doing enough. The NGO United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) stated that Panama “had not taken sufficient action against sanction violators” and highlighted that nearly one in five vessels suspected of transporting Iranian oil sail under Panama’s flag.
Strengthening Enforcement and Global Cooperation
Panama’s ship registry, which boasts over 8,500 vessels, has been stepping up its enforcement efforts. Since rolling out quicker sanctions enforcement mechanisms last year, they’ve deregistered 214 ships. Once a vessel is deregistered, it can no longer operate under Panama’s flag.
Additionally, Panama is working hand-in-hand with the United States on registry matters and has inked agreements with other significant flag states like Liberia and the Marshall Islands to exchange information about vessels that have been turned away for sanctions violations.
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Source: gCaptain
