Panama Defends Ship Registry Amid US Sanctions Pressure

Under growing pressure from Washington, the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) has defended its stance on sanctioned vessels, emphasizing that it is actively deflagging non-compliant ships.

As the overseer of the world’s second-largest ship registry, Panama has come under scrutiny from US officials, who allege that the country is not doing enough to enforce sanctions against ships and owners linked to Russia, Iran, and Venezuela.

Donald Trump previously cited these concerns as justification for threatening a takeover of the Panama Canal.

In a statement released yesterday, the PMA reported a 96.5% compliance rate with international maritime safety and environmental regulations.

“In its ongoing efforts to enhance fleet quality, the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA), through the General Directorate of Merchant Marine (DGMM), has intensified its oversight, removing vessels from the registry that fail to meet stringent safety and compliance standards,” the authority stated.

Ramón Franco, director general of the DGMM, reinforced Panama’s commitment to upholding maritime law, saying: “We maintain a zero-tolerance policy against any misuse of the Panama Ship Registry. We are not a shelter for sanction evasion. Our priority is to attract modern, newly built vessels that fully comply with international regulations.”

The PMA continues to emphasize its dedication to compliance and safety, aiming to maintain its position as a respected global shipping hub despite mounting geopolitical pressures.