Panama ship registration law: what Law 57 of 2008 says

What is the Panama ship registration law?

Law 57 of 2008 was published in Official Gazette No. 26100 on August 7, 2008, and its first title is called "Flag registration" (Abanderamiento). Under Article 1, registering a vessel is the act by which Panama admits it into the National Merchant Marine and allows it to fly the Panama flag, at the owner's request and once the requirements are met.

From then on, the vessel is subject to Panamanian law wherever it is, and its port of registry is Panama City. The law distinguishes between vessels in international service and vessels in domestic service, which sail in Panamanian waters, and the Directorate General of Merchant Marine of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) applies its rules.

Who can register a vessel

Article 3 allows any person, individual or company, to register vessels they own with no special nationality or residence requirement. A foreign owner can register a vessel in Panama directly or through a company.

The AMP may refuse registration if it finds it harmful to Panama or to the maritime industry, for example due to non-compliance with international safety conventions, crew working conditions, the age and condition of the vessel or suspected illegal activities (Article 5).

Main requirements under the law

• A resident agent: every owner must appoint a lawyer or law firm qualified to practice in Panama (Article 102).
• The application is filed through a lawyer with the AMP in Panama, or at a consulate, a Panama commercial office abroad or by the electronic means the AMP authorizes (Article 13).
• The vessel's name cannot be the same as that of another vessel already registered in Panama (Article 9).
• The provisional navigation patent and the provisional radio license are valid for up to six months, with a possible extension of up to six more months (Articles 23 and 24).
• The permanent navigation patent is valid for up to five years. It requires, among other documents, registration of the title at the Public Registry and the deletion certificate from the previous registry or the builder's certificate (Articles 26 and 27).
• Documents carried on board vessels in international service are issued in Spanish and English (Article 15).

Special registries allowed by the law

• Foreign vessels under bareboat charter: they can be registered in Panama without giving up their original registry, if the law of their country allows it (Article 70).
• Panama vessels under bareboat charter abroad: they can be temporarily registered in another registry, with prior AMP authorization and without leaving the Panama registry (Article 80).
• Temporary navigation: for scrapping or delivery voyages, with a navigation patent and radio license of up to three months (Articles 88 and 90).
• Yachts and recreational vessels: they are registered with a sworn statement of non-commercial use, and their patent and radio license last two years (Articles 96 to 98).

When the registration is cancelled

The owner can request deletion when the vessel is up to date with its obligations, free of encumbrances and the deletion fees are paid (Article 46). The AMP can also cancel it on its own initiative for reasons that include acts against national interests, serious breaches of safety or pollution prevention conventions, use of the vessel for crimes, forged documents, abandonment, registration in another registry or frequent detentions for serious deficiencies (Article 49).

How Panainfo helps

We support you through the registration of your ship or yacht: we review the documents, coordinate the application with the AMP and the registration of the title at the Public Registry, and obtain your vessel's certificates. Before each filing we confirm the current rules and requirements with the AMP, because the law and its regulations can be updated.

Legal basis

• Law 57 of August 6, 2008, General Merchant Marine Law (Official Gazette No. 26100 of August 7, 2008), Title I "Flag registration".
• Resolutions and circulars of the Directorate General of Merchant Marine of the Panama Maritime Authority, which set out the requirements of each procedure.