The government of Panama and the People’s Republic of China have signed an accord on maritime transport.
The accord was signed in the presence of China’s president Xi Jiping and Panama’s president Juan Carlos Varela during the first Panamanian official visit to China, after having established diplomatic relations between the two countries last June.
Enhance development and cooperation:
Panama’s Minister of Maritime Affairs Jorge Barakat and China’s Minister of Transport Li Xiaopeng signed the accord which marks a milestone in the maritime relations of both countries as it will “enhance the cooperation and development in moving commercial vessels between the two countries facilitating cargo and passengers transport”.
Minister Barakat who is also administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority and head of the Panama Ship Registry said, “The accord will help in promoting maritime and port development of Panama and China, strengthen [our] Ship Registry and support the Chinese Maritime Authority in the maritime safety issues of Panama-flagged vessels sailing in its waters”.
He further added, “It is the commencement of a fruitful cooperation for China and Panama maritime sectors that will benefit from this accord as it opens a new era for our Ship Registry that is granted “the Most Favoured Nation” treatment with regard to access to [Chinese] ports,” he added. The Panama-flagged vessels will enjoy the advantages and lower port costs applicable to other States which have similar agreements with China. The agreement includes transfer of knowledge and technical control of ships’ documentation and crews on board of Panamanian vessels.
Need for new training centres:
Barakat also underlined a future increase of participation of Chinese seamen on Panama-flagged vessels and the recognition of several maritime training centres from China “as part of our international expansion strategy.”
Panama will be able to register shipping companies and Chinese-owned vessels and the services of naval mortgage and property titles, in the main cities of China as Panama will be qualified to establish technical offices in China for the control of maritime safety and navigation of its vessels since Panama will soon open several consulates in China.
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Source: Panama Ship Registry, Seatrade Maritime
