During his visit to New Delhi, Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha Vasquez urged India to collaborate on ensuring the neutrality of the Panama Canal amid rising geopolitical tensions. He emphasized that the canal, a vital international asset, requires collective respect and governance to maintain its sovereignty and effectiveness in global trade.
Panama has been reinstated on the White List of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding, as noted in the recent Annual Report. The Panama Maritime Authority expressed satisfaction with this recognition, highlighting Panama’s commitment to maritime safety and regulatory oversight, reflecting significant improvements in the quality of its ship registry.
Two vessels flying Panamanian and Barbadian flags were damaged in an attack while navigating Ukraine’s Black Sea corridor. One ship, carrying metal, was en route to Odesa, while the other, loaded with grain, had just departed. Odesa’s governor condemned the assaults, highlighting ongoing threats to maritime safety.
CK Hutchison and its subsidiary, the Panama Ports Company, have escalated legal actions in a dispute over port concessions, seeking at least $2 billion in damages through international arbitration. Following Panama’s Supreme Court ruling, which deemed contracts unconstitutional, the government seized the ports and engaged Maersk and MSC for operations.
CK Hutchison reported that Panamanian authorities threatened criminal charges against their employees if they do not vacate two key canal ports amid a legal dispute. The company’s subsidiary, Panama Ports Company, had contracts canceled after a Supreme Court ruling, escalating tensions amidst U.S. concerns over Chinese influence in the region.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is set to conduct an IMSAS audit of Panama from October 13 to 20, 2025. This audit, mandatory since 2016, aims to evaluate maritime safety, environmental protection, and seafarer training. Deputy Administrator Alexander De Gracia emphasized its significance for Panama’s maritime leadership and international cooperation.
Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino announced stronger measures to combat criminal exploitation of its ship registry and maritime routes at a UN Security Council session. Emphasizing Panama’s strategic position, he affirmed the nation’s commitment to effective governance, vessel traceability, and combating illegal fishing, ensuring it won’t harbor violators of international law.
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Following Stories compiled in this News Digest for the week from 27 Dec 2021 to 02 Jan 2022 in descending…
