PANAMANIAN SHIP REGISTRY

Required Information, Procedures
& Registration Costs

I.           NEW VESSELS (OR VESSELS
             UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

      A.   Documents Required:

            The following documents are necessary for the filing and registration of the Provisional and Permanent Patents and Radio Licenses.

1.       Bill of Sale , made out to owner(s) of vessel, along with the vessel’s Acceptance of Sale, duly notarized and authenticated by Panamanian Counsel or by Apostille.

2.       Builder’s Certificate , duly notarized and authenticated by Panamanian Counsel or by Apostille.

3.       Vessel’s Tonnage Certificate, in original or certified true copy.

4.       Initial Ship Registration and Radio License Application Form (see our forms), completely filled out.

5.       Power of Attorney , made out to Victoria M. Garibaldo, duly notarized and authenticated by Panamanian Counsel or by Apostille.

      B.   Filing and Registration Procedures:

            Once all required documentation is procured by the vessel’s owner(s), the Provisional Patent can be applied for either via Panamanian Consulate or at the head office here in Panama.  

·         Vessel’s owner(s) submit required documentation to Consulate;

·         Vessel’s owner(s) submit payment of Secnaves (the General Directorate of Panama’s Maritime Authority) fees to Consulate;

·         Vessel’s owner(s) submit payment of legal fees to us;

·         We then request Secnaves fax or telex the Consulate to issue the Provisional Patent and Provisional Radio License;

·         We then notify you that the Provisional Patent and Radio License are ready.

  2.       Directly through our firm here in Panama:

·         Vessel’s owner(s) submit required documentation, registration fees payment and legal fees to us here in Panama;

·         We then file the required application and pay fees to Secnaves here in Panama;

·         Secnaves issues the Provisional Patent and Radio License to us, and we send the documents to you via courier.  

      C.   Initial Registration Fee Schedule:

1.       Secnaves’ Fees:

Registration Fees

· Vessels up to 2,000 Gross Tons (G.T.)         U.S.$500.00

· Vessels over 2,000 G.T. up to 5,000 G.T.           2,000.00

· Vessels over 5,000 G.T. up to 15,000 G.T.         3,000.00

·   Vessels over 15,000 G.T.:                                    3,000.00
                                                + U.S. $ 0.10 per G.T. Over 15,000
                                               G.T. up to a maximum of U.S. $ 6,500.00.

            Admeasurement Fees

· Vessels of 20 G.T. to 50 G.T.                       U.S. $ 50.00

·   Vessels over 50 G.T.                                              80.00

            Appraisal Fees

·   Vessels of 20 G.T. to 50 G.T.                        U.S. $ 50.00

·   Vessels over 50 G.T.                                                 80.00

            Title Registration Fees

·   U.S. $ 0.20 Fee per ton of Vessel, + 20% surcharge by the Public Registry

2.       Our Legal Fees:

·   Legal Fees:                                              U.S. $1,000.00

·   Admin/Copies/Notary/Misc. Costs:                       200.00

·   Legal Fees & Admin Costs for Radio License:       100.00

      D.   Notes:

·         For the issuance of the Vessel’s Provisional Patent, the presentation of all documents can be waived, but all documentation must be presented for the Permanent Patent.

·         Secnaves’ Registry Enrollment Fees are assessed one time only for Vessels entering the Registry.   Please see section on Vessel Annual Registry Fees, which depend on the tonnage and type of Vessel.

·         The Vessel’s first year Annual Registry Fees are due and payable to the registry upon enrollment into the Registry.

·         However, if Vessel is still under construction, Annual Registry Fees are not due and payable until the Vessel is launched.

 

II.         VESSELS FORMERLY REGISTERED
             IN ANOTHER REGISTRY

      A.   Documents Required:

            The following documents are necessary for the filing and registration of the Provisional and Permanent Patents and Radio Licenses.

1.       Bill of Sale , made out to owner(s) of vessel, along with the vessel’s Acceptance of Sale, duly notarized and authenticated by Panamanian Counsel or by Apostille.

2.       Deletion Certificate from previous registry, duly notarized and authenticated by Panamanian Counsel or by Apostille.

3.       Vessel’s Tonnage Certificate, in original or certified true copy.

4.       Initial Ship Registration and Radio License Application Form (see our forms), completely filled out.

5.       Inspection Report from Segumar, for vessels over 20 years old.

6.       Power of Attorney , made out to Victoria M. Garibaldo, duly notarized and authenticated by Panamanian Counsel or by Apostille.

      B.   Filing and Registration Procedures:

            Once all required documentation is procured by the vessel’s owner(s), the Provisional Patent can be applied for either via Panamanian Consulate or at the head office here in Panama.

1.       Via Panamanian Consulate:

·         Vessel’s owner(s) submit required documentation to Consulate;

·         Vessel’s owner(s) submit payment of Secnaves (the General Directorate of Panama’s Maritime Authority) fees to Consulate;

·         Vessel’s owner(s) submit payment of legal fees to us;

·         We then request Secnaves fax or telex the Consulate to issue the Provisional Patent and Provisional Radio License;

·         We then notify you that the Provisional Patent and Radio License are ready.

2.       Directly through our firm here in Panama:

·         Vessel’s owner(s) submit required documentation, registration fees payment and legal fees to us here in Panama;

·         We then file the required application and pay fees to Secnaves here in Panama;

·         Secnaves issues the Provisional Patent and Radio License to us, and we send the documents to you via courier.

      C.   Initial Registration Fee Schedule:

1.          Secnaves’ Fees:

Registration Fees

·   Vessels up to 2,000 Gross Tons (G.T.)           U.S. $500.00

· Vessels over 2,000 G.T. up to 5,000 G.T.            2,000.00

· Vessels over 5,000 G.T. up to 15,000 G.T.           3,000.00

· Vessels over 15,000 G.T.:                                      3,000.00
                                                          + U.S. $ 0.10 per G.T. Over 15,000 G.T.
                                                                up to a maximum of U.S.$ 6,500.00.

            Admeasurement Fees

·   Vessels of 20 G.T. to 50 G.T.                          U.S. $ 50.00

·   Vessels over 50 G.T.                                                 80.00

            Appraisal Fees

·   Vessels of 20 G.T. to 50 G.T.                          U.S. $ 50.00

·   Vessels over 50 G.T.                                                 80.00

            Title Registration Fees

·   U.S. $ 0.20 Fee per ton of Vessel, + 20% surcharge by the Public Registry

2. Our Legal Fees:

· Legal Fees:                                           U.S. $1,000.00

·   Admin/Copies/Notary/Misc. Costs:                    200.00

· Legal Fees & Admin Costs for Radio License:    100.00

      D.   Notes:

·         For the issuance of the Vessel’s Provisional Patent, the presentation of all documents can be waived, but all documentation must be presented for the Permanent Patent.

·         Secnaves’ Registry Enrollment Fees are assessed one time only for Vessels entering the Registry.   Please see section on Vessel Annual Registry Fees, which depend on the tonnage and type of Vessel.

·         The Vessel’s first year Annual Registry Fees are due and payable to the registry upon enrollment into the Registry.

 

III.        ANNUAL FEES FOR VESSELS IN
            THE PANAMANIAN REGISTRY

A.   Annual Registry Fees:

                Annual Fee :   U.S. $ 0.10 per Net Ton or Fraction Thereof

B.   Annual Consular Fees:

Passenger, fishing, dredges, ferries, drilling platforms, cargo, tankers & tugs

·   Up to 1,000 G.T.                                       U.S. $ 1,200.00

·   Over 1,000 G.T. to 3,000 G.T.                             1,800.00

·   Over 3,000 G.T. to 5,000 G.T.                             2,000.00

·   Over 5,000 G.T. to 15, 000 G.T.                          2,700.00

·   Over 15,000 G.T.                                                 3,000.00

Vessels without self-propulsion, submarines, crew boats, barges

· Up to 500 G.T.                                        U.S.      $ 850.00

·   Over 500 G.T. to 1,000 G.T.                               1,400.00

·   Over 1,000 G.T.                                                  1,800.00

Non-profit sport vessels for private use (yachts)

· Under Panamanian Ownership                 U.S. $ 1,000.00

· Under Foreign Ownership                                   1,500.00

C.   Annual Inspection Fees:

Passenger Vessels

·   Up to 1,600 G.T.                                    U.S. $     900.00

·   Over 1,600 G.T.                                                 1,800.00

                        Tanker Vessels

·   Up to 500 G.T.                                       U.S. $      500.00

·   Over 500 G.T. to 1,600 G.T.                                  750.00

·   Over 1,600 G.T. to 5,000 G.T.                               850.00

·   Over 5,000 G.T. to 15, 000 G.T.                        1,000.00

·   Over 15,000 G.T.                                               1,200.00

                        Cargo Vessels

·   Up to 500 G.T.                                       U.S. $      500.00

·   Over 500 G.T. to 1,600 G.T.                                  750.00

·   Over 1,600 G.T. to 5,000 G.T.                               850.00

·   Over 5,000 G.T. to 15, 000 G.T.                        1,000.00

·   Over 15,000 G.T.                                               1,200.00

                        Drilling Vessels                                U.S. $    1,300.00

                        Yachts                                                U.S. $       400.00

                        Any other vessel not listed above

· Up to 500 G.T.                                        U.S. $      500.00

·   Over 500 G.T. to 5,000 G.T.                                   800.00

·   Over 5,000 G.T.                                                  1,000.00

D.  Annual Fees for Accident Investigation
      & Admin. Of International Treaties:

Tankers, drilling barges, passenger vessels, gas carriers, chemical carriers        U.S. $      850.00

                        Any other vessel not listed above

·   Up to 500 G.T.                                      U.S. $      300.00

·   Over 500 G.T. to 10,000 G.T.                               400.00

·   Over 10,000 G.T.                                                  500.00

Additionally, all vessels in this section shall pay U.S. $ 0.03 per net ton.

However, non-profit sport vessels for private use (yachts) are exempt from these section D Annual fees.

  Our Resident Agent Fees:

·   Handling Charge for payment
of Vessel’s Fees                                     U.S. $      50.00

·   Annual Resident Agent Fee                                    150.00

 

IV.        RENEWAL OF PERMANENT
            PATENTS (each 4 years)

·         Permanent Navigation Patent Renewal :

                        Secnaves’ Fee:                                           U.S. $     300.00

                        Our Legal Fees and Admin. Costs:                             150.00

·         Radio License Renewal :

                         Secnaves’ Fee:                                           U.S. $     200.00

                        Our Legal Fees and Admin. Costs:                             100.00

 

            Attached, you will find a form to be filled out for initial filing and registration of a Ship in the Panamanian Registry, along with a list of additional documents required.   Should you have any questions, or need further information, feel free to contact us at our office.

    To register a ship in the Panamanian Registry, click on the Ship Registry form page.  Then, just print it out, fill it out, sign it, and fax it along with copies of other required documentation (passports, etc.) to our office.