Photos: Panama Carries Out 11000+ Successful Crew Changes

The logistics deployment carried out by the Republic of Panama, through the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) and which includes various government institutions, shipping companies, and shipping agencies, acting in a synchronized manner with the mission of providing a response to seafarers and to the crew who need to return home as embarking, it has been praised worldwide, being a subject of reference by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

panama crew change from carnival cruise ship — Image Credits: amp.gob.pa

From March 19, 2020, to October 28, the total sum of 11,050 movements related to crew changes was reached, broken down into: 7,323 (repatriations and landings) and the embarkation of 3,727 sailors from various nationalities, including Panamanians, from different types of vessels that arrived in our jurisdictional waters and ports, both by sea and by air, which has been a valuable and rewarding experience.

seafarers crew change leaving vessel_ — Image Credits: amp.gob.pa

Let us remember that since October 12, the Republic of Panama, through the Tocumen International Airport, the country’s main air terminal and connection center in Latin America, resumed its operations for its international commercial flights, after seven months of industry paralysis, a product of the pandemic.

This reactivation has contributed to normalizing and facilitating the replacement of crews on ships that are in our jurisdictional waters.

seafarers crew change luggage sanitizing — Image Credits: amp.gob.pa

The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) will continue to provide assistance to seafarers who require it, in terms of embarkation, disembarkation and repatriation, as stated in note No. ADM-DGGM-1159-2020 dated 25 September 2020, addressed to the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Kitack Lim.

panama crew change — Image Credits: amp.gob.pa

Where support is expressed for IMO Circular Letter No. 4204 / add 30, which is a Joint Declaration in which all Governments are urged to recognize seafarers as essential workers and adopt swift and effective in removing obstacles to crew changes, to address the humanitarian crisis facing the shipping industry, ensure maritime safety and facilitate economic recovery from the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Reference: amp.gob.pa