NL 378/26 | Panama Maritime Authority - Welcome Guidance and Post Registration Requirements (MMC 407).
Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels
Action Date: Immediate
Dear All,
This Newsletter aims to inform all concerned parties about this Merchant Marine Circular MMC-407 in order to provide guidance to users of Panama Ship Registry regarding the requirements applicable to vessels after their registration under the Panama Ship Registry.
Scope
In according with the provisions of item 25 of Article 30 of Decree Law No. 7 of February 10, 1998, as amended by Article 187 of Law No. 57 of August 6, 2008, one of the functions of the General Directorate of Merchant Marine is to perform Flag State functions and enforce applicable regulations on Panamanian and foreign-registered vessels operating within jurisdictional waters.
Such enforcement shall be carried out in accordance with national legal standards and the international conventions ratified by the Republic of Panama, particularly in matters related to maritime safety, navigational safety, maritime security, and the prevention and control of marine pollution, as well as relevant international guidelines and codes applicable to the Flag State.
The Republic of Panama has adopted several International Maritime Conventions through different national laws with the aim of preserving the safety of life at sea, preventing pollution, and ensuring the security of vessels registered under the Panamanian flag.
For the full text please follow the link below.
For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr or Panama Maritime Authority at cumplimientodgmm@amp.gob.pa.
Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels
Action Date: 18/03/26
Dear All,
This Newsletter aims to inform all concerned parties about the Revision of Maritime Circular No. 31 issued by the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration. The purpose of this Maritime circular is to outline the procedure, scope and requirements for Flag Safety Inspections of Sierra Leonean vessels.
Application
The aim of Flag Safety Inspections (FSIs) is to enhance the safety standards of Sierra Leonean vessels and decrease the number of deficiencies that may result in the detention of the ship from Port State Control Authorities.
The Flag Safety Inspections (FSIs) apply to all vessels registered with the Sierra Leone Flag.
There are several types of Flag Safety Inspections as follows:
- Pre-registration FSI: To be conducted prior to the provisional registration of a vessel under Sierra Leone Flag. This type of inspection is applicable when deemed necessary by the Administration.
- Initial FSI: To be conducted within 3 months from the date of provisional registration.
- Annual FSI: To be conducted within the 12-month period from the due date of Annual Taxes / Renewal of Registry.
- Special FSI: To be carried out in special cases such as when the vessel has been detained by Port State Control or any other case as deemed necessary (ref. Maritime Circular No.9 & 11).
- Periodic FSI: To be conducted at regular intervals, as deemed necessary by the Administration.
- Follow-up FSI: To be conducted after the completion of a pre-registration, initial, annual, special, or periodic FSI, if deemed necessary by the Administration. During a follow-up FSI, the Flag Safety Inspector may conduct a full inspection in accordance with the Administration’s requirements and is not limited to verifying only the items identified during the previous FSI.
For the full text please follow the link below.
For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr or Sierra Leone Maritime Administration at info@slmarad.com.
NL 376/26 | LISCR - Guidelines on Fair Treatment of Seafarers Detained in Connection with Alleged Crimes
Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels
Effective Date: Immediate
Dear All,
This Newsletter aims to inform all concerned parties about this Marine Advisory 05/2026 issued by the Liberian Maritime Authority. The purpose of this Marine Advisory is to provide reference instrument for principles that can be reflected in the implementation of policies, legislation, and administrative measures on the fair treatment of seafarers detained on suspicion of committing crimes, and that can be tailored to different national systems and circumstances.
Requirements
The Guidelines are intended to be applied where seafarers may be investigated or detained in a jurisdiction other than that of the seafarers’ nationality on suspicion of committing or having committed crimes during the course of their employment onboard a ship.
- Guidelines for Port or Coastal State
- Guidelines for the Flag State
- Guidelines for Seafarers
- Guidelines for Shipowners
For the full text please follow the link below.
For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr or Liberian Maritime Authority at MLC@liscr.com.
Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels
Effective Date: Immediate
Dear All,
This newsletter of MMC-403 is to stress the importance and commitment of minimizing the abuse of alcohol, drugs, and other harmful substances, while also addressing concerns related to HIV/AIDS and other health risks that may impact safety and operational efficiency onboard vessels.
General Duties and Rights
Outlining responsibilities of companies and seafarers in promoting a safe and healthy working environment.
Alcohol and Drug Policy Guidelines
Recommendations on the content and implementation of an effective onboard policy to address alcohol and drug use.
HIV/AIDS Awareness and Health Risk Management
Measures to prevent discrimination and promote awareness of health risks, including HIV prevention and education.
Additional Recommendations
Including promoting a culture of safety, regular training, and availability of support mechanisms.
For the full text please follow the link below.
For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr or Panama Maritime Authority’s mail at mlc@segumar.com
NL 374/26 | SKAN - MC 140/25: Casualty Reporting
Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels
Effective Date: Immediate
Dear All,
The purpose of Newsletter is to ensure crew awareness of vessels registered with the Saint Kitts and Nevis (SKAN) International Ship Registry on Marine Casualty Investigations. This circular serves to reinforce the importance of proper reporting procedures following a marine casualty or incident, in line with the IMO’s Casualty Investigation Code as adopted by Resolution MSC.255(84). The Code outlines internationally recognized standards and recommended practices for conducting marine safety investigations.
All vessels under the Saint Kitts and Nevis (SKAN) flag are required to fully comply with the provisions of the Casualty Investigation Code.
In the event of a marine casualty or incident, a preliminary report must be submitted without delay to the SKAN Registry via mail@skanregistry.com.
The initial email should include the following:
- Vessel name and IMO number
- Date, time, and location of the incident
- A clear description of the event
- Any immediate safety actions taken
To support effective investigation, preservation of all relevant evidence is critical. This includes:
- Securing data from the Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) – its retrieval is mandatory
- Retaining time-sensitive materials such as CCTV footage, electronic records, and logs
- In the event the accident scene must be disturbed before investigators arrive, the area must be fully photographed, documented, and system settings recorded in detail prior to any alterations
For the full text please follow the link below.
For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr or Saint Kitts and Nevis office at mail@skanregistry.com
NL 373/26 | LISCR - National Safety Requirements for Miscellaneous and Non-SOLAS Vessels
Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels
Effective Date: Immediate
Dear All,
This Newsletter aims to inform all concerned parties about this Marine Notice INS-003 Rev. 03/26 issued by Liberian Maritime Authority. The purpose of this Marine Advisory is to clarify the National safety requirements of the Republic of Liberia for vessels which are not covered by the international conventions and standardizes the procedures for the issuance of a "National Cargo Ship Safety Certificate" to certain categories of vessels:
Applicability
Vessels not expressly covered by the Safety of Life at Sea Convention 1974, as amended, should generally comply with SOLAS 1974 and all subsequent amendments to the extent that this is practical. In accordance with SOLAS '74, as amended, Regulation 1 and 3 of Chapter 1, these vessels are:
- Reg. 1 (a) vessels not engaged on international voyages;
- Reg. 3 (ii) cargo ships of less than 500 gross tons;
- (iii) ships not propelled by mechanical means;
- (iv) pleasure yachts not engaged in trade; and
- (vi) fishing vessels.
Vessels not expressly covered by the International Convention on Load Lines (LL '66), as amended, should generally conform to its requirements to the extent that this is practical.
Pleasure yachts, fishing vessels, vessels of less than 24 meters in length, vessels of less than 150 gross tons, and vessels not engaged on international voyages are not covered by the Load Line Convention.
This Marine Notice does not apply to vessels or units provided for under the Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU) Codes or the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships.
For the full text please follow the link below.
For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr.
NL 372/26 | LISCR - Prevention and Elimination of Harassment and Bullying onboard Ships
Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels
Effective Date: Immediate
Dear All,
This Newsletter aims to inform all concerned parties about this Marine Advisory 04/2026 issued by the Liberian Maritime Authority. The purpose of this Marine Advisory is to remind all ship-owners and operators to develop policies and measures to prevent and address harassment and bullying onboard ships. The Advisory also aims to assist seafarers to:
- recognize cases of harassment and/or bullying
- identify incidents through the use of effective grievance procedures
- become involved in situations where they see others being harassed and bullied and to offer support to them when necessary
- avoid bullying and harassing others
- report if bullying and harassment are observed or experienced
- comply with companies’ policies
- apply any other applicable measures.
For the full text please follow the link below.
For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr or Liberian Maritime Authority at MLC@liscr.com.
Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels
Effective Date: Immediate
Dear All,
This Newsletter aims to inform all concerned parties about this Merchant Marine Notice 02/2026 issued by Panama Maritime Authority regarding the precheck process for a vessel to be eligible to enter the Panama Ship Registry.
Panama flag has hardened its’ criteria for the acceptance of a vessel to enter the Panama Ship Registry, made during the pre-check process, aiming to improve both operational performance and reduce the risk of detentions.
By virtue of 02/2026 revision of MMN-11/2024, the Panama Registry announced that,
- The Republic of Panama will not accept Oil Tankers or Bulk Carriers over fifteen (15) years of age for registration.
- Exceptions may apply in cases of bulk carriers up to twenty (20) years of age subject to the satisfactory results of internal risk assessment.
- In the case of oil tankers intended to operate within the jurisdictional waters of the Republic of Panama, age-related registration restrictions may be waived up to twenty five (25) years of age, subject to the submission of its valid Operating License issued by the Ports and Ancillary Industries General Directorate for existing Companies.
For the full text please follow the link below.
For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr or Panama Martime Authority at psc@amp.gob.pa.
Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels
Effective Date: Immediate
Dear All,
This Newsletter aims to inform all concerned parties about this Merchant Marine Notice 04/2026 issued by Panama Maritime Authority. The purpose of this Merchant Marine Notice is to inform all Shipowners, Operators, Legal Representatives, Masters, Recognized Organizations (ROs), and Shipping Agencies of detainable Port State Control (PSC) deficiencies identified by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) on Panamanian-flagged vessels arriving at or operating within United States jurisdictional waters in 2025, with the objective of mitigating detention risk, enhancing vessel safety, and maintaining the high-performance standing of the Panama Ship Registry.
Applicability
1) All vessels flying the Panamanian flag, regardless of size, type, or trading area, that have undergone PSC inspections or detentions in arriving at or operating within United States ports.
2) Shipowners, Operators, Masters, Legal Representatives, and Port Agents responsible for vessel compliance, navigation safety, and port operations.
For the full text please follow the link below.
For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr or Panama Martime Authority at psc@amp.gob.pa.
Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels
Effective Date: Immediate
Dear All,
This newsletter aims to inform all concerned parties about the issuance of Marine Notice No. 01/2026 by the Guinea-Bissau International Ships Registry (GB ISR).
The Marine Notice provides updated Flag State guidance to GB ISR-registered vessels operating in or near the affected region. It highlights the current maritime security environment and recommends enhanced voyage risk assessments, strengthened security measures consistent with the ISPS Code, and the application of relevant industry Best Management Practices (BMP) for Maritime Security.
For the full text please follow the link below.
For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr or ops@gbi-lb.org.