Panama updates ship protection measures against pirate attacks

The Panama Maritime Authority updated a Merchant Marine Circular MMC-230 regarding ship protection measures to pirates attacks.

The document was published on 01 February 2024.

This circular provides recommendatory measures for Panamanian-registered ships transiting through high-risk areas or areas where robberies and pirate attacks are taking place. ​ The circular covers the following topics:

Description of High-Risk Areas (HRA): ​​

• The HRA is an area within the UKMTO designated as the Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA) where there is a higher risk of piracy. ​
• Panamanian vessels must have their crew fully briefed and conduct a piracy drill before entering the HRA. ​
• Panamanian flagged vessels are required to comply with LRIT (Long Range Identification and Tracking of Ships) and SSAS (Ship Security Alert System) regulations. ​

Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC): ​​

• Panamanian flagged vessels are requested to use the IRTC, which includes separate eastbound and westbound transit lanes. ​
• The IRTC is subject to changes, and updated information can be obtained from the Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSCHOA). ​

Best Management Practices (BMP): ​​

• Panamanian flagged vessels are required to implement the necessary security measures described in the latest edition of the BMP. ​
• The implementation of BMP includes conducting trainings/drills with the crew, enhanced vigilance, use of monitoring/surveillance equipment, and other self-defense measures. ​

Security Measures in specific regions: ​

• West Africa - Gulf of Guinea (GoG): Panamanian flagged vessels transiting the GoG are encouraged to increase security measures and comply with security regulations recommended by Coastal and Port Authorities. ​
• Nigerian waters: Armed guards are no longer allowed onboard merchant vessels in Nigerian waters, and vessels should comply with Nigerian Navy regulations. ​
• Southern Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb: Guidance has been published for conducting threat assessments in this region, and ships are recommended to register with MSCHOA and UKMTO. ​

Reporting and Emergency Centers: ​​

• Panamanian flagged vessels are encouraged to maintain communication with the administration and report incidents to the proper authorities and organizations. ​
• Contact information for various reporting and emergency centers, such as IMB Piracy Reporting Centre, UKMTO, MSCHOA, NATO Shipping Centre, etc., is provided in the circular. ​

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):

Ship Protection Measures to Pirates Attacks