Panama ship registration: a step-by-step guide

Who regulates ship registration in Panama?

Ship registration is handled by the Directorate General of Merchant Marine of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), under Law 57 of 2008 on the Merchant Marine. The AMP grants the navigation patent, the document that authorizes the vessel to sail under the Panama flag. The title and naval mortgages are registered at the Public Registry of Panama.

Who can register a ship in Panama?

The Panama registry is open: an individual or legal entity of any nationality can register a vessel. Many shipowners do so through a Panama corporation that owns the vessel. The application is filed through a qualified lawyer in Panama, a Consulate of Merchant Marine or another office authorized by the AMP abroad.

Types of registration

According to the AMP, the main types are:

• Regular registration: for existing vessels registered in Panama.
• Special registration by assignment: for vessels under construction, which reserve their registration before completion.
• Special temporary navigation registry: allows the vessel to sail while the original documents are completed.
• Registration of foreign vessels under bareboat charter: the vessel keeps its original registry and temporarily flies the Panama flag.
• Special lay-up registry: for vessels that will be out of service for a period.

Provisional and permanent navigation patent

The navigation patent can be provisional or permanent (reglamentaria). The provisional patent lets the vessel sail while the requirements are completed; among other documents it requires the representative's appointment, proof of cancellation of the previous registry (or the builder's or judicial sale certificate), technical and safety certificates and payment of the fees.

The permanent patent is granted once the title is registered at the Public Registry of Panama and the required inspections are met. The AMP may request additional documents depending on the vessel's age, type of service or navigation area.

Documents the AMP usually requests

• Power of attorney or appointment of the lawyer or representative, authenticated if granted abroad.
• A document showing that you own the vessel, or that you are in the process of buying it.
• Certificate of cancellation of the previous registry, or the shipyard's builder certificate.
• Technical and safety certificates issued by organizations recognized by the AMP.
• Proof of payment of the applicable fees.
• Any other document the Ship Registry Department requests for the case.

Steps to register your vessel

1. You send us the vessel's details: type, tonnage, year built, current registry and who will be the owner.
2. We tell you which type of registration applies and the exact list of documents.
3. If needed, we incorporate the Panama corporation that will own the vessel.
4. We file the application with the AMP to obtain the provisional patent.
5. We register the title, and any mortgages, at the Public Registry of Panama.
6. With the title registered and the certificates up to date, the permanent patent is processed.

Yacht and recreational vessel registration

Vessel registration under the Panama flag is not only for merchant ships: yachts and other recreational vessels can also be registered, with their own requirements depending on size and use. We tell you which apply to your vessel.

Ship deeds and naval mortgages

The sale of a vessel and the naval mortgages that secure it are registered at the Public Registry of Panama. That registration protects the buyer and the lender against third parties, and it is required for the permanent patent. We also obtain ownership and encumbrance certificates for vessels already registered.

Legal basis

• Law 57 of 6 August 2008, the General Merchant Marine Law, which governs the registration of vessels and naval mortgages.
• Law 55 of 2008, which reformed the maritime commerce provisions of the Commercial Code.
• Decree Law 7 of 10 February 1998, which created the Panama Maritime Authority.