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1. In view of the current situation occurring due to Israel-Hamas conflict, Panama Maritime Administration strongly recommends all Panama flag vessels to take all security measures and avoid transiting through the Mediterranean area near the Gaza Strip.

2. For those vessels in Israeli Ports or transiting the above zone must keep the utmost vigilance and increase security conditions aboard in order to protect the vessel and its crew.

3. Port operations in the ports of Israel are limited, for which vessels that are in these ports and their crews must remain in port until the Israeli authorities grant permission for departure or disembarkment. The Israeli port of Ashkelon and its oil terminal have been closed in the wake of the conflict between Israel and the Islamist group Hamas.

4. During their stay in port, vessels must implement all security measures equivalent to Security Level III, as required in their Ship Security Plan in accordance with the ISPS Code.

5. Further, the Panama Maritime Administration has strongly encouraged to follow the recommendations listed below and, in any documents issued by the Israeli Authorities:

• Conduct a new ship- and voyage-specific threat risk assessment before entering any region where there has been an incident or the threat has changed.
• After the risk assessment, review the Vessel Protection Plan.
• Review section 2 of BMP5, which describes non-piracy threats and the Global Anti-Piracy Guide.
• Maintain a complete and vigilant watch on the bridge; Note: At night, small, slow vessels without a wake are difficult to detect on radar.
• Maintain strict surveillance of communications and establish communication with all approaching vessels. Do not allow small boats to approach or dock. Use a reflector to identify yourself at night.
• Guarantee strict boarding controls.
• Go down hallways or accommodation stairs only when necessary.
• Install exterior lights where possible, provided they do not interfere with maintaining a safe lookout, especially aft, and install/use searchlights if available
• Report any suspicious activity or objects immediately to both the port and UKMTO +442392222060.
• Monitor relevant VHF and other communication channels.
• Check all fire-fighting equipment available for immediate use. Make sure the emergency fire pump is available if any maintenance is being undertaken.
• Keep the Automatic Information System (AIS) on. There is no need to complete the field stating the last or next port of call.

6. Additionally, the Administration has reminded all vessels transiting or in Israeli Ports to verify that the LRIT System and the AIS always works properly, in order to be able to continuously send positions of the vessels as required by SOLAS Reg. V/19.

7. In those cases that the Captains / S.S.O. and the companies decide and consider the switch off of the aforementioned equipment, they must notify and report the status of the ship and its crew every 4 hours via email to nardila@amp.gob.pa and isps@amp.gob.pa

8. Owners/ managers and masters of Panama flagged vessels are advised to take note of the above requirements and ensure compliance. 

Enclosure:

• Panama MMN-08/2023

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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