The Director General of the Panama Maritime Authority’s Merchant Marine, Ramón Franco, along with Deputy Director Rina Berrocal, met with senior executives from the ship classification company ClassNK to strengthen ties, exchange knowledge, and establish collaborations that benefit both parties.
The Japanese delegation included Masafumi Inove and Toru Urushihara, General Manager and Deputy General Manager of the Inspections Department, respectively, Kumi Miyashita, General Manager of External Affairs, and Stefano Morelos from ClassNK’s Panama Office.
Franco welcomed the company’s representatives and acknowledged the high-quality standards of ClassNK, which has proven to be a leader in the market through its excellence and leadership.
The occasion was timely to reaffirm the commitment of the Panamanian registry. “We are convinced that together we can achieve more ambitious goals and create a positive impact on the sector,” Franco told the delegation.
A wide range of topics were covered during the meeting with ClassNK. In the area of innovation, discussions focused on new carbon capture technologies and alternative design approvals. Regarding compliance, the performance of the fleet in Port State Control inspections was evaluated, and monitoring methodologies were reviewed. Finally, technical aspects related to sustainability, such as the use of alternative fuels, were discussed, and information about industry updates worldwide was exchanged.
Both entities shared views on the entry into force of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC).
The Ship Classification Society ClassNK (NK) was founded in 1899 and enjoys a solid international reputation.
