- New rule requires 48-hour advance notification for Panamanian-flagged oil vessels.
- Non-compliance may lead to ship deregistration, warns the DGMM resolution.
- Reporting obligations cover full technical, logistical, and compliance details.
The Panama Ship Registry has made history by becoming the first naval registry globally to enforce mandatory traceability for ship-to-ship (STS) operations involving hydrocarbons on the high seas, reports gCaptain.
Advance Notification Requirements for Panamanian-Flagged Vessels
According to the new regulation, any oil vessel flying the Panamanian flag and weighing 150 tons or more must inform the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) at least 48 hours before carrying out STS manoeuvres. This notification should include all the technical and logistical details related to the planned operation.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
“Non-compliance with this obligation – depending on its severity – may result in the cancellation of the registration of the ship in Panama,” states Article 9 of the DGMM resolution. The new measure, which came into effect on August 6, is outlined in Resolution No. 106-035-DGMM from the General Directorate of Merchant Navy.
Detailed Reporting Obligations
The mandatory reporting requirements include details about the vessel’s identification, the precise timing and geographical coordinates, specifications of the operational mode, the type and quantity of hydrocarbons, the estimated duration of operations, designated contact personnel, and confirmation of compliance with the MARPOL Agreement.
Targeting Illicit Operations and Ghost Fleet Practices
The regulation specifically addresses “the growing use of boats for illicit operations such as the covert transport of crude oil, evasion of sanctions and lack of environmental controls, practices associated with the so-called ‘ghost fleet.’”
Crackdown on Shadow Fleet Operations
Panama is stepping up its fight against shadow fleet operations as part of a larger initiative. The Panama Maritime Authority has kicked off the process to cancel the registration of 17 vessels that are on the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions list, emphasising that this move aligns with Panama’s “zero-tolerance policy against the misuse of the Ship Registry.”
International Scrutiny and Enforcement Actions
Panama has come under fire from groups like United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which pointed out that 17% of the vessels suspected of transporting Iranian oil are currently flying the Panamanian flag. Just in March 2025, the registry took action to deregister 107 vessels tied to sanctions violations.
Additional Preventive Measures
To bolster its efforts, Panama is implementing additional preventive measures, including a policy that bans the registration of oil tankers or bulk carriers older than 15 years. They are also tightening the due diligence process for registrations and joining the Registry Information Sharing Compact (RISC) with other major flag states.
Commitment to International Standards
Panama asserts that these measures “align with the regulations of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and reinforce Panama’s commitment as a responsible flag-folding State, by promoting maritime safety, operational transparency and the protection of the marine environment.”
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Source: gCaptain
