Maritime, ship registry, and consular services

Maritime, ship registry, and consular services
Fabio Hidalgo Valdez (OIC of the Consulate General of Panama in the Philippines) November 28, 2021 https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/11/28/supplements/maritime-ship-registr...

The contribution that marine resources make to the development of a nation is undeniably essential. The Republic of Panama and the Philippines, in addition to sharing a past of Spanish influence, recognized within their republican early stages the importance that the sea would exert on their territories. And it is because of this relationship that, though separated by thousands of miles of land and water, our nations could be considered twinned.

Similar to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in the Philippines, the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) monitors strict compliance with the International Maritime Conventions, especially those relating to Seafarers (STCW 78, as amended; MLC 2006, etc.) and their labor conditions onboard Panamanian merchant marine vessels.

Despite the global health crisis, which has been experienced for more than a year, the General Directorate of Seafarers has not stopped its customer service. Fundamental advances have been made to accomplish objectives aimed primarily at benefiting and attending the request of seafarers on board Panamanian-flagged ships through the 12 Regional Documentation Offices (ORD) and the 4 Auxiliary Registry Offices (ORA). All offices mentioned remained open during the most critical points of closures and international restrictions generated by the pandemic in different parts of the world, evidencing the commitment of the Republic of Panama to all seafarers.

The AMP foreign service invested all their efforts to assist sailors who needed help, either to return to their countries of origin or to receive their pending salaries owed for their work. The Panamanian State sincerely acknowledges that one of the most important priorities is the well-being of our seafarers. We celebrate the effort that the Department of Maritime Labor Affairs of the AMP made to resolve more than 50 labor conciliations, 785 labor complaints, the repatriation of 1,358 crew members, and successfully mediate the payment of $9,404,343.65 regarding wages owed to seafarers sailing on Panamanian-flagged vessels.

The issuance of the new online certificates received a remarkable acceptance from the users of the Panamanian Ship Registry since it reduces the response time to the client and fully complies with the Guidelines for The Use of Electronic Certificates of the International Maritime Organization. The protection of user data and security features through unique document tracking numbers, as well as the quick verification code (QR Code) implemented in the electronic certificates, allowed both seafarers and inspectors to streamline the processes of obtaining and validating the Panamanian document anywhere in the world.

Therefore, as the compliance process cycle never ends, the AMP continues with constant preparation to improve its procedures to face diverse audits required by international entities and obtain the recertifications that confirm and support the quality of its maritime services.

Among them, we can mention the certification of the Quality Management System (QMS)

ISO 9001: 2015, carried out by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance; the International Maritime Organization audit that the Republic of Panama has to undergo as a member state, and the audit that the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), in compliance with the European Union Directive No.2008/106/EC, among others, will carry out to the AMP with the purpose that the Republic of Panama become accredited as a "Third Country" before the European Commission. The EMSA audit aims to achieve the recognition of the Maritime Administrations of the member countries of the European Union, of seafarer's qualification, competencies, and sufficiency certificates issued by the General Directorate of Seafarers of the AMP, which may translate into more significant employment opportunities for all our seafarers.

As a representative of the Consulate General and Private merchant marine of Panama in the Republic of the Philippines, I must recognize the incredible capacity of the Filipino sailors who day by day work onboard Panamanian-flagged vessels, with professionalism and skills, worthy of the people who give their best effort in all aspects of their lives. Motivated by the courage and the evident desire for self-improvement of this beautiful island and its people, I can assure that Panamanian offices abroad will always be prepared and willing to strengthen and improve the maritime relations that, despite the distance between our territories, make us closer than ever.