The close relationship and the strengthening of the ties of friendship between the Republic of Panama, represented by the Panama Maritime Authority AMP, and both the Republic of Finland and the IMO have been reaffirmed through official visits made by their
international delegates to the headquarters of the institution.
Panama’s Minister of Maritime Affairs, Noriel Araúz met with Finland’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Johanna Sumuvuori where the first approaches were made for the future signing of a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will involve the maritime, port and logistics sectors.
In addition, Finland’s support was requested so that the competency titles issued by the AMP are recognized by the European Union which will mean the facilitation of the hiring of seafarers Panamanian within the European Community, enabling its insertion in any nation that forms part of this community.
For the world’s largest Registry of Ships, safe navigation is of vital importance, in this case in the waters of Finland, where a large number of vessels of the Panamanian registry sail, For this reason, it is deemed important to strengthen relations between the two countries through an MOU.
It was also highlighted the importance of a rapprochement with the Maritime Universities of both countries.
In addition, the Secretary General of the IMO, Kitack Lim, made a protocol visit to Panama in order to strengthen relations cooperation ties and bilateral support, was received by the Minister of Maritime Affairs, Noriel Araúz accompanied by his team.
During this meeting, topics of interest to the institution were addressed, in addition to issues of seafarers, the post-pandemic situation, stranded ships in Ukraine, the IMO green agenda, implementation and effectiveness of the ISM Code as well as the next OMI audit of the AMP, the desire for mutual cooperation in different aspects related to agreements, training, regulations
and port development.
The Republic of Panama joined the Council of the IMO for the first time in 1979 and later, with the entry into force in 2002 of the 1993 amendments to the convention Constituent of the Organization, has remained an elected ‘Category A’ member of the Council for 21 consecutive years, to date.
