The Government of Panama on Monday (2 June) rejected accusations made by United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) in recent publications circulated through media outlets and e-mails worldwide.

Panama Maritime Authority (PMA), called the claims made by Mark D. Wallace, CEO of UANI, as “misleading”. 

On 30 May, UANI accused Panama of its “longstanding role” in facilitating Iran’s illicit oil trade and urged Panama to de-flag all Iranian oil-smuggling vessels. According to UANI’s analysis, nearly one in five vessels suspected of transporting Iranian oil—17% or 94/542 of the total tracked—sails under Panama’s flag.

AMP, the entity in charge of the Panamanian Ship Registry and the governing body of the Panamanian maritime sector, reported it has removed more than 650 vessels from its registry since 2019, in compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and as part of its efforts to combat the financing of terrorism and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

“The Government of Panama maintains close collaboration with the Government of the United States of America, through its Embassy in Panama and through direct communications with the Department of State, regarding the Ship Registry and other security matters of mutual interest,” it said in a statement. 

Furthermore, as part of its international commitments, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) known as the Registry of Information Sharing Compact (RISC) was signed in August 2019 between Liberia, Vanuatu, the Marshall Islands, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Moldova, and Panama.

The agreement stipulates that when a flag registry cancels or initiates a sanction or cancellation process, or refuses to register a vessel due to sanctionable activity, the registry must immediately notify the other members of the vessel’s details, including a description of the sanctionable activity, in order to publicise the identity of vessels, companies, or groups acting against the interests of the international maritime community.

As a result of the signing of said MOU, the AMP issued Resolution No. 106-048-DGMM on 19 August 2019, establishing sanctions against any vessel of the Panama Registry that deliberately deactivates the Long-Range Identification and Tracking System (LRIT) and/or the Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment.

Additionally, Panama has recently implemented strict new requirements for ship-to-ship (STS) oil transfer operations involving vessels under its flag, marking an important step in its efforts to combat sanctions evasion and illicit maritime activities. These new requirements are aligned with the standards of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the MARPOL Convention, reflecting Panama’s commitment to maritime security and operational transparency.

This measure follows the promulgation, in October 2024, of Executive Decree No. 512, which empowers the AMP to unilaterally deregister vessels whose owners appear on international sanctions lists. Since its promulgation to date, Panama has deregistered 214 vessels, representing more than 12 million Gross Register Tonnage (GRT).

“It is important to note that the AMP conducts investigations into compliance with international conventions ratified by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), due diligence, and recommendations from the United Nations Security Council Panel of Experts. Vessels that fail to comply with national regulations are subject to administrative and economic sanctions, and even cancellation of their registration (abandonment of the flag),” AMP added. 

Panama said it has complied and will continue to comply with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its efforts to combat the financing of terrorism and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. 

Related: Panama tightens STS oil transfer rules to ‘shut the door’ on shadow fleet

Photo credit: Panama Maritime Authority
Published: 4 June, 2025

Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) on Friday (23 May) said it has strengthened its requirements for ship-to-ship (STS) oil transfer operations involving tankers registered under its flag. 

PMA said the objective is to “shut the door” on the so-called “shadow fleet” and reinforce the country’s standing as a responsible flag State.

PMA, through its Directorate General of Merchant Marine (DGMM), issued Resolution No. 106-035-DGMM of 2025 (published in Official Gazette 30271–A on May 6, 2025), which introduces stricter controls and mandatory traceability for offshore STS transfers of hydrocarbons.

“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,” explained DGMM Acting Director, Engineer Rina Berrocal.

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.

The mandatory notification must include the following key data:

• Identification details of participating vessels (name, flag, IMO number)
• Coordinates and estimated time of the STS operation
• Type and quantity of hydrocarbons to be transferred
• Transfer method (underway or at anchor)
• Contact information of the Designated Person Ashore (DPA)
• Confirmation of the STS plan in accordance with Regulation 41 of the MARPOL Convention
• In addition, vessels must update their STS operational plans to reflect this new notification requirement and retain onboard an electronic acknowledgment of receipt.

“This new regulation reinforces Panama’s role as a flag State committed to maritime safety, operational transparency, and the prevention of fraudulent use of its registry, in full alignment with IMO regulations and the MARPOL Convention,” Berrocal emphasised.

“This is not just about safeguarding the reputation of the Panamanian registry,” she warned, “but about ensuring that our vessels are not used as platforms for illicit activities that undermine global trade and harm the environment.”

Photo credit: Panama Maritime Authority
Published: 30 May, 2025

The UK on Tuesday (20 May) announced a raft of 100 sanctions targeting Russian military, energy, financial sectors and those conducting Putin’s information war against Ukraine.

The latest sanctions target 18 more ships in the ‘shadow fleet’ carrying Russians oil, along with the fleet’s enablers. The Prime Minister announced 110 shadow fleet related sanctions ahead of his visit to Kyiv earlier this month.  

John Michael Ormerod, a British national, also faced sanction for procuring ships for Russia’s shadow fleet. Two Russian captains of shadow fleet tankers were also named in the list of individuals who were sanctioned. 

“This action imposes a personal cost on those who are supporting Russia’s trade in oil and is another step in the Foreign Secretary’s personal mission to constrain the Kremlin and a crucial part of the Plan for Change to ensure a secure Britain,” the government said in a statement. 

The UK is also working with partners to tighten the Oil Price Cap that limits the price that Russia can charge for its oil if transported using G7 services like insurance and shipping. 

“We are reviewing the $60 crude price level, with a view to lowering the cap closer to the cost of production and hitting Putin where it hurts by striking at his oil revenues,” it added.

The following is the list of sanctioned 18 ships:

• TORONTO (IMO 8808525)  
• NEXT (IMO 9286023) 
• SPRING FORTUNE (IMO 9386536)  
• RAGNAR (IMO 9384095)  
• FURIA (IMO 9257802) 
• CORTEX (IMO 9291250)  
• CETUS (IMO 9418482)  
• MISSONI (IMO 9296810) 
• OTLA (IMO 9299719)  
• MAIN (IMO 9387255) 
• NAUTILUS (IMO 9434890) 
• ARABELA (IMO 9253313)  
• RICCA (IMO 9292577)  
• TEAM (IMO 9292589) 
• LEOPARD (IMO 9284594) 
• PIERRE (IMO 9266877) 
• JAMES II (IMO 9253909) 
• LIETO (9389679) 

Photo credit: balesstudio on Unsplash
Published: 21 May, 2025