Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels

Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) has published Merchant Marine Circular MMC-404, with updated measures aiming to reduce detentions and ensure better performance under PSC regimes.
 
This new circular unifies MMC-381, MMC-393, MMC-398, MMC-402, which from now on are considered obsolete.
 
Panama flag stakeholders shall be informed of updated measures aimed at improving the performance and compliance of Panamanian-flagged vessels during Port State Control (PSC) inspections of ships calling ports under USCG, Paris MoU, AMSA, or China MSA jurisdiction.
 
Key Updates

• A dedicated Pre-Arrival Checklist has been developed to help identify weak areas that may result in PSC deficiencies or detentions. This tool is mandatory and intended for use by Shipowners, Operators, DPAs, Technical Managers, and Masters

• Mandatory for ships calling ports under USCG, Paris MoU, AMSA, or China MSA jurisdiction.

• Must be sent to: prearrival@amp.gob.pa  
• 120 hours before arrival at any of the specified ports
• If the voyage is shorter than 96 hours, send at least 24 hours before arrival 

Purpose of Checklist

• Improve fleet performance in PSC inspections
• Reduce risk of detentions
• Identify and correct potential deficiencies before port arrival 

Any outstanding deficiencies, including equipment failures, must be immediately notified to the RO, Segumar, and port state authorities, along with the corrective action plan agreed.

Pre-Arrival Checklist for Panamanian Flagged vessels is available here.
 
The complete circular is available here.
 
Our organization remains available to support companies in the implementation of this new requirement, ensuring proper understanding and compliance with the checklist submission process and PSC preparedness.