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1. Panama Maritime Authority has issued updated Merchant Marine Notice No. MMN-07-2020 providing interim measures in respect of postponement/ extension of statutory certification and services due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

2. Recognized Organizations have been advised as follows;

   a. Extension request for all statutory Certificates for the maximum period of three (3) months according to Conventions is to be made on a case by case basis to the Panama Administration.

   b. For extension of statutory certificates beyond 3 months due to extraordinary circumstances and where no other alternative exist, authorization is to be requested to issue conditional certificate on a case by case basis. The conditional certificate validity is to be according to the authorization letter granted.

   c. The postponement/Extension of the inspection of the outside ships bottom will continue to be processed on a case by case basis as per the guidelines provided in Merchant Marine Circular No.204. Inspections afloat using remote inspection techniques might be allowed under exceptional circumstances. Extensions beyond three (3) months may require a Risk Assessment approved by the RO, including mitigation measures.

   d. Equipment Services: Servicing and expiry date of life saving appliances, navigation and firefighting equipment are allowed for an immediate extension valid for three (3) month subject to the agreement of the Recognized Organization. Extensions required beyond three (3) months period will be granted on a case by case basis according to the circumstances, provided that supporting evidence of each case is presented to- extensions@segumar.com or any Segumar Office.

   e. Request for authorization towards postponement of the verification of ISPS, ISM and MLC audits/inspections for three (3) months is to be made through the E-SEGUMAR platform through the website link: http://certificates.amp.gob.pa/certificates.

   f. Remote surveys may be allowed after evaluating the scope intended to cover, and on a case by case basis due to exceptional circumstances of COVID-19.

   g. Administration has informed that Ships Registry Certificates (Patent) and Radio Station since 14 April 2020 are issued in electronic form.

3. The above interim policy will be reviewed and revised as required by the Administration as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve.

4. Ship owners/ operators and masters of Panama flagged ships are advised to be guided by above.

5. This Technical Circular supersedes and revokes earlier Technical Circular No. 099/2020 dated 07 July 2020.

Enclosure:  

• Panama Merchant Marine Notice No. –MMN- 07/2020 (Rev. August/ 2020).

 Disclaimer:

This Technical Circular and the material contained in it is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to the reader and not as an advice to be relied upon by any person. While we have taken utmost care to be as factual as possible, readers/ users are advised to verify the exact text and content of the Regulation from the original source/ issuing Authority. 

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