About The Panama Ship Registry

The Republic of Panama is proud to celebrate more than 100 years promoting seaborne trade through the Panama Ship Registry. It was created by Law 63 of December 15th of1917 with the establishment of the procedures for the nationalization of ships tonnage. Later, since 1925 the Panama Ship Registry accepts ships that belong to nationals and foreigners, under the condition of compliance of local and international standards related to navigation, maritime safety, prevention and control of pollution and manning, certification and watchkeeping of seafarers.

 Panama is the world largest State-owned Ship Registry with more than 8,500 vessels registered, summing up 250 million GT, representing 15% of the world fleet, and continues to be selected by ship-owners due to our performance in the PSC and our leading role as member of the category A of IMO Council, together with the States of largest interest in providing shipping services.

 The Ship Registry is constantly innovating and optimizing processes of Registration, making them automated and simpler. For many years, Panama has been a leader of the ship mortgage registration. The ship mortgages under the Public Registry of Panama provide confidence to banks and to the international finance community.

 Moreover, the Panama Ship Registry has a worldwide coverage through 53 Panamanian Consulates Privatives of Merchant Marine and 22 International Technical Offices are 100% operational.