Panama is an international maritime center for banking, insurance, finance and shipping. Over seven thousand large ships and vessels from around the world fly the Panamanian flag, and Container Ship Transiting Canal Locks enjoy Panama’s offshore tax free status and strict maritime safety, regulatory and legal protection.

Given the clear advantages to ships flying the Panamanian flag, coupled with Panama’s strategic geographical position in world shipping, it is clear why the Panamanian Ship Registry has become the world’s largest registry, both in terms of gross tonnage and in number of vessels registered.

The Panamanian laws and regulations governing the flagging and operation of Panamanian flagged ships are simple, yet complete. They afford the vessel’s owners the legal security of established maritime judicial protection, while providing them with a strict regulatory safety framework.

Any person or corporation, regardless of their nationality, may register virtually any marine vessel in the Registry. Vessels transferred to the Registry do not have to be re-surveyed if they hold current safety and tonnage certificates issued by a recognized entity.

All revenues from Panamanian flagged ships are completely tax exempt, even if the transportation contract was executed in Panama. Similarly, any capital gains from the sale or transfer of a Panamanian flagged ship are tax exempt, even if the sale was executed in Panama.

The registry imposes no minimum tonnage requirement, and vessels of any size, type or age are eligible for registration.

Panama’s Maritime Tribunal is recognized worldwide for its efficiency and compliance with global maritime standards. This Petro Transport Ship Transiting Canal facilitates any required maritime legal transactions, regardless of where the vessel may be lying. The Court can handle any maritime dispute, including claims, sequesters, and labor matters. Given the importance of shipping to Panama, the Court is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Panama has an extensive network of worldwide maritime consulates, located in major ports, which facilitates maritime transactions of Panamanian flagged vessels. Ship registry can be conveniently handled via this network.

Panama’s time-tested corporate and ship mortgage laws are among the world’s best, in terms of stability, judicial protection, and regulatory protection.

The Panamanian professional community offers ship owners a broad array of world class maritime services, including legal, accounting, banking, finance and insurance. Given this solid maritime services framework, coupled with the U.S. dollar as Panama’s currency, many ship owners utilize Panama as a “one stop” center for all their personal and corporate needs.

Garibaldo & Associates can provide ship owners with Registrations, Corporations, Personal Foundations, Trusts, and other services, as required.

A vessel’s enrollment in the Panamanian Registry is simple and efficient. A Provisional Patent is applied for and issued for a six month period (and can be extended for another three months). Applications can be filed in Panama, or through Panamanian Maritime Consulates around the world.

Once the Provisional Patent has been issued, the vessel’s title documents (bill of sale; or construction certificate, if new; naval Ship entering Pedro Miguel Locks at Panama Canal mortgages) must be filed in Panama’s Public Registry. Thereafter, a Permanent Patent is applied for and issued. The Permanent Patent is good for four years for commercial vessels and two years for pleasure vessels. The Permanent Patent is renewable indefinitely for equal terms as long as the vessel is in compliance with Registry laws and regulations and is current on payment of Registry taxes and fees.

Additionally, a Radio License is required for all vessels in the Panamanian Registry. A three month Provisional License is applied for and issued with the Provisional Patent; the Permanent License is applied for and issued with the Permanent Patent, is good for four years, and is renewable indefinitely.

Finally, a three month, non-renewable Temporary Patent is available for those vessels to be scrapped, transited, or otherwise temporarily navigated.

Documentation submission may be waived for Temporary Patents but is mandatory for Permanent Patents. Documentation must be duly notarized and authenticated by Panamanian Consul or Apostille. Documents required include: Bill of Sale; Acceptance of Sale; Builder’s Certificate (if new); Limited Power of Attorney (to act as Resident Agent & Legal Representative in Panama); Deletion Certificate from Previous Registry; Admeasurement or Tonnage Certificate; Radio License Application; and Report of Inspection for vessels over 20 years old.

A Panamanian flagged vessel’s naval mortgage may be executed in Panama or any other country, but must be registered in Panama’s Public Registry. It will not be effective against third parties until it is duly registered. The mortgage may be written or executed in any language or form.

While there are no restrictions as to the language, provisions or requirements agreed to by the parties, a mortgage Container Ship Transiting Pedro Miguel Locks at Panama Canal to be registered must contain the following information: names & addresses of mortgagor & mortgagee; fixed or maximum mortgaged principal; principal and interest payment schedules; interest rate or manner of determining interest rates; mortgaged vessel’s name, Patent #, tonnages and dimensions; & for multiple vessel (fleet) mortgages, the encumbrance of each vessel.

Special naval mortgage provisions are required for ships under construction. Please see the Registry Requirements and Information Document for further details.

Existing registered naval mortgages may be amended, discharged or eliminated by written, notarized consent of both parties.

*See Ships Registry Details Document [+] for further details.