Is the Panama flag safe for seafarers?

The Panama flag holds a strong port-state-control (PSC) reputation across both Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU regimes. It has ratified MLC 2006, which gives seafarers the international right to inspection and complaint. A safer flag does not mean every vessel is safe — operator + classification society still drive day-to-day conditions.

Has Panama ratified the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006)?

Yes — Panama has ratified MLC 2006 (ratified 2009). Seafarers serving on Panama-flagged vessels are entitled to make MLC complaints through the flag administration, port state, or seafarer welfare organisations such as the ITF.

How do I file a complaint against a Panama-flagged vessel or operator?

Complaints can be lodged with the Panama Maritime Authority via their official complaint procedure. Under MLC 2006, complaints may also be lodged with the port-state authority of any MLC-ratified port. The ITF and seafarer welfare organisations (Mission to Seafarers, Stella Maris, Sailors' Society) can advocate on your behalf. Keep contract, wage records, and seaman's book ready.

What port-state-control rating does Panama have?

Paris MoU rating: white. Tokyo MoU rating: white. PSC ratings classify flags by inspection and detention history. White / low-risk flags face fewer PSC inspections; black / high-risk flags face more frequent inspection and a higher detention rate.

Is Panama on the ITF Flag of Convenience (FoC) list?

Yes — Panama is listed by the International Transport Workers' Federation as a Flag of Convenience. ITF FoC listing reflects the union's view that the flag has minimal genuine link to the beneficial owner of vessels registered. Seafarers on FoC vessels are eligible for ITF inspector intervention in any major port and for the ITF's globally-negotiated minimum wage benchmark when on an ITF-affiliated agreement.

🇵🇦 Panama

ISO PAN / PA

Regulatory

MLC 2006: ratified (2009-08-20)
Paris MoU rating: white
Tokyo MoU rating: white
USCG Qualship 21: not listed
ITF FoC: listed as Flag of Convenience

Registry

Vessel count: 8,000
Deadweight: 228
Administration: Panama Maritime Authority
File a complaint: Official form

World's largest ship registry by tonnage and vessel count

Compliance history

Tokyo MoU
This page could not be found. Maybe try a search?
ページが見つかりませんでした - Tokyo MOU
ILO NORMLEX
ILO is a United Nations Agency
Ratifications of ILO conventions: Ratifications for

Country context

Population: 4,571,189 (2025)
GDP per capita: $19,790 (2025)
Income group: High income
Region: Latin America & Caribbean

Source: World Bank Open Data.

What this means for seafarers

MLC 2006: This flag has ratified MLC 2006. Vessels must hold a valid Maritime Labour Certificate + DMLC Part II posted onboard. You can file an MLC complaint via the flag administration.
Port-state-control profile: high-performing flag — fewer detentions on average. Read about PSC regimes →
ITF Flag of Convenience: This flag is on the ITF FoC list. ITF Total Crew Cost (TCC) scale applies as the wage floor. Contact an ITF inspector at the next port if your contract is below TCC. Unpaid-wages route →
STCW: Party to STCW. Verify a CoC issued under this flag at the flag's verification portal.

Notable historic incidents under this flag

Ever Given (2021, Suez Canal)
The 400-metre, 20,000-TEU container ship Ever Given (Panama flag, Evergreen Marine operator, Shoei Kisen ownership) grounded diagonally across the southern single-lane section of t…
MT New Diamond (2020, Indian Ocean) · 1 killed
The Panama-flagged VLCC New Diamond, laden with ~270,000 tonnes of Kuwait crude, suffered an engine-room explosion + fire at 07:40 on 3 September 2020 in the Indian Ocean, ~38 naut…
MV Wakashio (2020, Pointe d'Esny reef)
The Panamanian-flagged Capesize bulker Wakashio (Nagashiki Shipping, Japan; Mitsui OSK operator) grounded on the Pointe d'Esny coral reef off south-east Mauritius at 19:25 on 25 Ju…
MSC Zoe (2019, North Sea)
The Panama-flagged ULCV MSC Zoe was transiting the North Sea in Force-9 conditions on the night of 1-2 January 2019 when 342 of her ~8,000 loaded containers were lost overboard in …
Sanchi (2018, East China Sea) · 32 killed
The Panamanian-flagged Suezmax condensate tanker Sanchi (NITC/Bright Shipping) collided with the Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier CF Crystal in the East China Sea at 20:00 on 6 Janua…

Reference

III Code — the IMO flag-state audit scheme measuring implementation of IMO instruments.
Port state control — how Panama-flagged ships are inspected + detained in foreign ports.
Minimum safe manning — the SOLAS V/14 basis for Panama's manning documents.
Marine cyber incidents — case studies + the IACS UR E26/E27 cyber-resilience regime.

Verification & complaint routes

STCW CoC verification: https://amp.gob.pa

Ships flying Panama

HMM Algeciras · IMO 9811000 · Container
Ever Given · IMO 9811571 · Container
MSC Virtuosa · IMO 9710562 · Passenger / Cruise
Barzan · IMO 9728882 · Container
Carnival Dream · IMO 9287199 · Passenger / Cruise
MSC Bellissima · IMO 9606879 · Passenger / Cruise
MSC Seashore · IMO 9709473 · Passenger / Cruise
Henna · IMO 9212929 · oil tanker
Sevda · IMO 9172040 · oil tanker
Caspia · IMO 9125126 · chemical tanker

Ports in Panama

All ports in Panama →

Panama flag: FAQ

Is the Panama flag safe for seafarers?: The Panama flag holds a strong port-state-control (PSC) reputation across both Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU regimes. It has ratified MLC 2006, which gives seafarers the international right to inspection and complaint. A safer flag does not mean every vessel is safe — operator + classification society still drive day-to-day conditions.
Has Panama ratified the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006)?: Yes — Panama has ratified MLC 2006 (ratified 2009). Seafarers serving on Panama-flagged vessels are entitled to make MLC complaints through the flag administration, port state, or seafarer welfare organisations such as the ITF.
How do I file a complaint against a Panama-flagged vessel or operator?: Complaints can be lodged with the Panama Maritime Authority via their official complaint procedure. Under MLC 2006, complaints may also be lodged with the port-state authority of any MLC-ratified port. The ITF and seafarer welfare organisations (Mission to Seafarers, Stella Maris, Sailors' Society) can advocate on your behalf. Keep contract, wage records, and seaman's book ready.
What port-state-control rating does Panama have?: Paris MoU rating: white. Tokyo MoU rating: white. PSC ratings classify flags by inspection and detention history. White / low-risk flags face fewer PSC inspections; black / high-risk flags face more frequent inspection and a higher detention rate.
Is Panama on the ITF Flag of Convenience (FoC) list?: Yes — Panama is listed by the International Transport Workers' Federation as a Flag of Convenience. ITF FoC listing reflects the union's view that the flag has minimal genuine link to the beneficial owner of vessels registered. Seafarers on FoC vessels are eligible for ITF inspector intervention in any major port and for the ITF's globally-negotiated minimum wage benchmark when on an ITF-affiliated agreement.

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High confidence

Editorial confidence: how we grade. Data sources and methodology: /sources.

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