Panama tightens rules on 'dark fleets'

Photo: Panama Ship Registry

Panama's maritime authority has tightened rules on ship-to-ship (STS) transfers by its flagged tankers in an effort to tighten its grip on 'dark fleets'.

The new rules, which take effect immediately, require all Panama-flagged vessels of 150 gross tonnage (GT) or more to notify the flag authority at least 48 hours before any planned STS operations. The notification must include detailed technical, logistical and operational information. In addition, vessels must update their STS plans to comply with the new notification requirements and keep an electronic confirmation of receipt of the notification on board.

A senior official from the Panama Maritime Authority said: "This initiative addresses the growing use of opaque vessels to circumvent international sanctions, transport undeclared crude, or evade environmental safety regulations—practices commonly associated with what is known as the shadow or dark fleet."

Panama has previously faced criticism over the large number of 'dark fleet' oil tankers registered in the country. As a result, the country has deregistered many of them.

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Source: Phaata.com (According to Splash247)

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