On November 20, a Panamanian delegation, led by Diego Villanueva, Ambassador and Consul of Panama in South Korea, visited the headquarters of Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM), one of the world’s premier shipping companies. Currently, HMM operates nearly one million gross tons (GT) under the Panamanian flag, underscoring the strong partnership between the two entities.
During the visit, Ambassador Villanueva reaffirmed Panama’s unwavering commitment to fostering a robust and mutually beneficial relationship with HMM. Discussions centered on pivotal topics, including the adoption of alternative fuels and clean technologies as essential measures to reduce the environmental impact of maritime transportation.
As the global leader in ship registry, the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) serves as a natural strategic ally for HMM, facilitating collaboration on innovative and sustainable solutions that benefit the maritime industry.
The delegation also held discussions with Lee Hyungchul, President and CEO of the Korean Register (KR), and Sergio López, Head of Segumar in South Korea. These engagements highlighted both parties’ shared dedication to upholding the highest regulatory standards and supporting the global maritime community.
Additionally, Carlos Hoyos Boyd, Panama’s Vice Minister of Foreign Trade, participated in high-level meetings with the Korea Shipowners’ Association (KSA), led by Tae-soon Jeong. These sessions focused on enhancing maritime cooperation and strengthening the commercial and technical ties that underpin the growing partnership between Panama and South Korea.
