Panama Registry Cracks Down on STS Actions to Stop Shadow Fleet

The Panamanian-flagged tanker Themir sent a distress signal about a hijacking on Monday about 90 kilometers off the Iranian coast. British maritime security company Ambrey said it was a false alarm and that the ship had previously sent a false hijacking signal. The ship’s unusual trajectory suggested that the tanker was transferring sanctioned Iranian oil to another vessel on the high seas, which is bound for China. At least 350 million barrels …

Panama Registry Cracks Down on STS Actions to Stop Shadow Fleet

The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) is taking further actions to crack down on suspicious tankers by establishing new rules for ship-to-ship oil transfers for vessels in its registry. It is the latest in a series of steps responding to international pressure to stop the notorious technique used by vessels trying to hide transactions of Russian and Iranian oil. “This new regulation reinforces Panama’s role as a flag state committed to maritime sa…

Panama tightens oversight on oil transfer operations

In a move aligned with the standards of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Panama has strengthened its requirements for ship-to-ship (STS) oil transfer operations involving tankers registered under its flag. The objective: to shut the door on the so-called “shadow fleet” and reinforce the country’s standing as a responsible flag State. The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA), through its Directorate General of Merchant Marine (DGMM), iss…

PMA: Panama-Flagged Vessels Must Notify of Ship-to-Ship Transfers

Panama's Maritime Authority said on Friday it will reinforce controls for ship-to-ship operations by Panama-flagged vessels, following an increase in the use of…