Registering a ship under construction in Panama

• At the owner’s request, the Directorate assigns the provisional patent number, the MMSI and the radio call sign before registration.
• The registration fee is paid at that point.
• The data can be used for documents, financing and other operations.
• The registration must be completed before the ship sails; otherwise the Directorate keeps the fee.

Source: Law 57 of 2008, articles 40 to 44; Merchant Marine Circular MMC-16, revised September 2011

To mortgage a ship under construction, its ownership must be recorded at the registry. The builder’s certificate serves as title, stating for whom the ship is built, the patent and radio data assigned, its dimensions, the builder and the intention to transfer ownership with its acceptance. Consulates can receive these preliminary recordings.

Source: Law 55 of 2008, articles 263 and 264

Once the ship is finished, it pays the annual fee, taxes and inspection fees like any registered ship.

Source: Merchant Marine Circular MMC-16

The law gives discounts to new constructions and to ships registered within five years of keel laying, up to 50 percent of the first year for new constructions of 100,000 gross tons or more.

Source: Law 57 of 2008, article 149

• How long the advance assignment of registry data takes.
• The content of the 2024 and 2025 resolutions that waive up to 100 percent of fees for new constructions.

• Ship mortgages
• The official fees
• Provisional and permanent registration