The Panama Maritime Authority Strengthens Requirements for Ship-to-Ship Oil Transfers

The Panama flag has strengthened its requirements for ship-to-ship (STS) oil transfer operations involving tankers registered under its flag in a bid to crack down on the shadow fleet. Effective immediately, all Panama-flagged vessels with a gross tonnage of 150 or more must notify the flag state at least 48 hours in advance of any planned STS operation, providing detailed technical, logistical, and operational information. In addition, vessels must update their STS operational plans to reflect this new notification requirement and retain onboard an electronic acknowledgment of receipt.

According to a senior official from the Panama Maritime Authority, “This initiative addresses the growing use of opaque vessels to circumvent international sanctions, transport undeclared crude, or evade environmental safety regulations—practices commonly associated with what is known as the shadow or dark fleet.”

Panama has faced criticism over the large number of shadow fleet tankers on its books, leading to the deregistration of many vessels.