The Panama Maritime Administration (PMA) has tightened the rules for the transshipment of oil from ship to ship with the participation of tankers registered under its flag.
The PMA stated that the goal of this is “to shut the door on the so-called “shadow fleet” and reinforce the country’s standing as a responsible flag State.”
Now, all Panamanian-flagged vessels with a gross tonnage of 150 or more must notify at least 48 hours in advance of any planned oil product transfer operation, providing detailed technical information. Among the required information are identification data of the participating vessels, coordinates, and estimated time of operation.
“This new regulation reinforces Panama’s role as a flag State committed to maritime safety, operational transparency, and the prevention of fraudulent use of its registry, in full alignment with IMO regulations and the MARPOL Convention,” stated Acting Director of the PMA’s Directorate General of Merchant Marine Rina Berrocal.
In March 2025, the PMA officially cancelled the registration of 107 Panamanian-flagged tankers that are under international sanctions from the United States, Britain and the European Union due to suspected involvement in Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
In order to prevent vessels with a high risk of sanctions from being included on the Panamanian registry, the country’s authorities have strengthened their analysis before registration. Now, they are not only evaluating the technical specifications of the vessel but also the background and operational history of the owner and operator.
