China and Panama get big development in shipping industry

The Panama Maritime Technology Seminar (Dalian) was conducted in Dalian Maritime University (DMU) on August 6, 2018. The seminar invited Nicolas Saval Zimmermann, Consul General of the Consulate General of Panama in Shanghai, and Ms. Sandra Quiros, head of the Merchant Marine Department of the Consulate General of Panama in Shanghai, to present the latest policy and regulations for Panama flag vessels and have interactions with local ship owners, managers and shipping researchers. 

During the seminar, Mr Nicolas Saval Zimmermann stressed that China is important for Panama ship registry. Panama became the worldwide flag state leader in 1993 and the member of the white list of the Tokyo MOU and Paris MOU respectively in 2002 and 2010. And it has already established the regional offices in Dubai, London, Manila, Miami, Panama, Piraeus, Seoul and now in Shanghai. Merchant Marine, Seafarers and Segumar are the major maritime services at the consulate. 

He encouraged the ship owners to choose Panama Ship Registry and informed that new construction vessels or Eco-ships enjoy the discounts for ship registration. In addition, it’s noteworthy that for seafarers, there is “SAA system”. It was designed strictly for seafarers with accordance STCW 78, using PKI Token and work directly with the Panama Consulate, which can help save human resources, time and money in processing applications.

After the meeting, our xinde marine news conducted a brief interview with Mr Nicolas Saval Zimmermann.

He introduced that over the past year or more since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Panama, the two countries have achieved a series of very important achievements in the maritime sector. The two countries have signed mutually beneficial maritime agreements. We have also opened a consulate general in Shanghai. This good diplomatic relationship will have a better future for both countries."

The Panamanian Consulate General in Shanghai serves as an important link between the Panama government and the Chinese maritime authorities. In addition, its Segumar Shanghai office will also better serve Panama flag customers in China.

He said that the Shanghai Office will be able to issue most of the ship-related certificates (including international registration certificates, ship radio certificates, minimum manning certificates, etc.) .For customers to improve operational efficiency and are no longer subject to jet lag as they have in the past.

At the same time, for ships that meet some certain conditions (new shipbuilding, well-recorded and environmentally-friendly ships, etc.), they can enjoy greater incentives for registration and flag conversion. In addition, he also said that the Panama office can also receive two payment methods, such as US dollars and RMB, and its Shanghai office can provide certain Mandarin Chinese services.

In addition, according to the China-Panama Maritime Agreement, the crew certificate can also be processed directly through online registration and application. The Shanghai Consulate General can issue it directly, saving both time and effort.

In this interview, Mr Nicolas Saval Zimmermann. also revealed that the second round of the China-Panama free trade agreement negotiations will soon begin in Beijing, although it does not disclose more details , but he said that for the two countries, will be full of opportunities. The negotiation of the FTA will not only be limited to the shipping industry, but will also include such as logistics and other industry business, which will also be a rare opportunity for some Chinese companies. In short, China and Panama are welcoming more development opportunities.
XINDE MARINE NEWS editor：Anita

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