MLC Inspection Regulations – guidance for Panamanian flagged ships

C23031 | 26 June 2023

Notice to: Ship Owners/ Managers/ Operators/ 

This circular is issued to advise that the Panama Maritime Authority has issued a circular, MMC-130, communicating the regulations of maritime labour inspections and other provisions regarding life, work, accommodation, food, certification, and manning conditions of seafarers onboard Panamanian flagged ships.

These inspections are not intended to be a part of the MLC 2006 certification process. They apply to all Panamanian flagged ships in jurisdictional waters.

The regulations that approve the provisions of the Maritime Labour Inspection Regulations and other provisions regarding life, work, accommodation, food, certification, and manning conditions of seafarers working onboard Panamanian flagged ships are:

Resolution J.D. No. 059-2021 of August 26, 2021

Resolution ADM No.184-2021 of September 20, 2021

Resolution ADM No. 075-2022 of March 29, 2022

The circular notes three different types of inspections:

• Official Inspections performed at least every twelve months.
• Due to a labour complaint
• Re-inspection to correct deficiencies.

Master’s, Officers, and Operators are obliged to allow maritime labour inspections to be performed and to collaborate with the Inspectors.

During the inspections, training agreements between the ship owner and cadet and /or training centre, as well as conditions that must be provided to the cadet will be checked for compliance with minimum requirements,

Ship Owner’s and Masters are obliged to correct all deficiencies within the stipulated timeframe, and once corrected to notify, in writing, the corrective measures taken.

The circular notes that deficiencies may cause restrictions, conditions on the navigation of the ship, or hold up the ship until satisfactory evidence that the deficiencies have been corrected.

Act now

Ship Owners, Managers, and Operators are advised to take note of the above and ensure that they are in compliance with the relevant regulations.