The response comes after U.S. officials accused Panama of failing to enforce sanctions on ships linked to Russia, Iran, and Venezuela.
In a statement issued yesterday, the PMA highlighted its efforts to maintain compliance with international maritime safety and environmental protection standards, reporting a 96.5% compliance rate. Ramón Franco, Director General of the General Directorate of Merchant Marine (DGMM), reaffirmed the registry’s strict oversight, stating:
Zero-tolerance policy against any misuse of the Panama Ship Registry
"We maintain a zero-tolerance policy against any misuse of the Panama Ship Registry. We are not a shelter for sanction evasion. We prioritize attracting modern, newly built vessels that fully comply with international regulations."
The authority emphasized its ongoing fleet quality measures, including removing vessels that fail to meet safety and compliance standards.
Meanwhile, Panama has denied recent White House claims that it agreed to allow U.S. government vessels to transit the Panama Canal free of charge.
The statement follows concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to take control of the canal, citing Panama’s perceived lack of cooperation on sanctions enforcement.