Panama updates seafarer documentation restrictions

Merchant Marine Circular MMC-344 issued by the Panama Maritime Authority outlines specific restrictive measures related to the recognition of seafarers' technical documentation issued by other Maritime Administrations of States Parties to the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended. The Circular is directed at all relevant parties involved with the Panama Ship Registry, including seafarers, ship owners/operators, maritime training centers, medical practitioners, consulates, brokers, and others engaged in the handling of seafarer documentation.

Purpose of the Circular:

The purpose of this Circular is to inform all stakeholders about the Panama Maritime Authority’s decision to impose restrictive measures on the recognition of certain seafarer documentation. Specifically, the PMA will limit the endorsement of Certificates of Competency (CoC), Certificates of Proficiency (CoP), and other related documentation issued by the Maritime Administrations of States Parties to the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended. These measures aim to ensure the integrity and standards of the Panama Ship Registry.

Scope:

The measures outlined in this Circular apply to a wide range of stakeholders. This includes seafarers, ship owners, operators, companies flying the Panamanian flag, maritime administrations from States Parties to the STCW Convention, recognized organizations (ROs), private consulates of the Republic of Panama, brokers, and offices authorized to handle seafarer technical documentation. All these parties must comply with the provisions of the Circular.

Recognition of Seafarer Documentation:

The PMA will continue to recognize and endorse Certificates of Competency (CoC) and Certificates of Proficiency (CoP) issued by countries that are listed as States Parties to the STCW 1978 Convention, as amended. The PMA’s recognition of such certificates is further detailed in Merchant Marine Circular MMC-343. However, this recognition is subject to the restrictive measures listed in this Circular.

Definition of "Non-National":

The term "Non-National" refers to a person who was neither born nor naturalized in the country whose Maritime Administration issued their seafarer documentation. This distinction is important because it indicates that there is no direct national connection between the individual and the country issuing their documentation.

Restrictive Measures:

The Panama Maritime Authority has established that it will not recognize or process the following types of seafarer documentation for endorsement or any other process:

• Certificates of Competency (CoC)
• Certificates of Proficiency (CoP)
• Course Certificates
• Seaman's Books

These documents, when issued to "Non-National" individuals, will not be recognized if they were issued by the Maritime Administrations of the following countries:

• Belize
• Bolivia
• Cook Islands
• Dominica
• Honduras
• Mauritania
• Palau
• Samoa
• Sint Maarten
• Syria
• Venezuela
• Vanuatu

Additionally, the PMA will not recognize or process any seafarer documentation issued by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). This decision is based on repeated reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and United Nations Security Council resolutions, reflecting Panama's obligation as a member of the United Nations.

The addition of Mauritania and Venezuela to the list of countries whose documentation is not recognized by the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) reflects ongoing concerns with these states' maritime regulations or practices.

Indonesia and The Federated States of Micronesia were removed from the list, indicating a change in the PMA's stance on recognizing documentation from these countries.

Additional Documentation Requirements:

The Panama Maritime Authority reserves the right to require additional supporting documentation as part of the process of recognition by endorsement. This applies to all seafarer documentation, including Certificates of Competency, Certificates of Proficiency, Course Certificates, and Seaman's Books. The PMA may specify further documentation requirements through the appropriate administrative channels.

Compliance:

The PMA urges all interested parties to comply fully with the measures outlined in this Circular. It is the responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to adhere to the provisions and maintain the integrity of the Panama Ship Registry.

LINK TO THE DOCUMENT

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