Panama reaffirmed its position as a maritime powerhouse in UAE

More seafarers can expect to work onboard Panama-flagged vessels in UAE

Panama graced the Maritime Week of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The summit was organised by the Authority of the Dubai Maritime City (DMCA) to serve as a global platform for stakeholders, through high-profile workshops and conferences. The platform will address the latest innovations that facilitate, revitalise and support the global maritime sector.

Panama and UAE ties strengthened
Minister of Maritime Affairs Noriel Arauz highlighted, “We are at a time of great progress at an international level. Among them is our recent re-election in Category A of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the biannual period 2022-2023. We hereby reaffirm our position as a world maritime power.”

Panama is the world’s largest ship registry and has been in IMO’s Category A since 2003 – demonstrating a high level of commitment to the organisation. Only 40 countries within IMO’s 175 member countries are part of the Council, of which 10 are in Category A carrying the greatest interests in the provision of international maritime services.

Facilitated by Directorate of Public Relations from Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), assisted by the Segumar Regional Office in Dubai and support from the Panama Embassy in Dubai, Minister Arauz’s words were echoed in the Panamanian pavilion of the Dubai World Expo 2020 – the most influential maritime event in the Middle East. Panama took the opportunity to promote the advantages of its role as a maritime heavyweight, by reiterating the functions of the 4 Auxiliary Registrar Offices (ORA) that assist seafarers as well as its 14 International Offices.

UAE has also enhanced its relations with Panama through the inking of an updated agreement on Mutual Recognition of Training and Certification in accordance with Rule I / 10 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978. The motion will allow seafarers to continue serving onboard Panama-registered vessels – boosting the national workforce and strengthening the ties of technical cooperation between both governments.