President Cortizo Announces Vaccinations For Seafares Of All Nationalities And Registries

The Ministry of Health (MINSA) with the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) have begun the process of vaccinating against COVID-19 all seafarers arriving at Panamanian ports, regardless of nationality, aboard Panama-flagged ships, or other registries.

Some 300,000 doses of AstraZeneca are available and will be applied in Pacific and Atlantic ports. The Panama Maritime Authority is in contact with the shipping agencies to get information from the vessels docking in Panama and determine the number of seafarers interested in being vaccinated.

“Panama supports essential workers, our seafarers, who provide their services during this pandemic to keep supply chains active, and recognizes their valuable contribution,” said AMP Secretary General Elvia Bustavino.

Source: Panama Maritime Authority

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the National Government through the AMP, has been assisting seafarers, by many actions. Those are the following:
• Aiding the crew and passengers of the “Zaandam” and “Rotterdam” cruise ships.
• Following the guidelines of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by applying the recommendations established in Circular Letter No. 4204/Add.14, in addition to declaring all seafarers working on ships under its flag as “Key Workers”, as of May 12, 2020.
• Overcoming the 18,000 crew change movements (repatriations and disembarkations) from various nationalities including Panamanian and of any types of vessels, who have arrived in Panama’s jurisdictional waters and ports, both by sea and air, to alleviate the crew change crisis.
• Creating the “Diagram of the modalities for repatriation, disembarkation and embarkation of crew members”, that guarantee safe crew changes, through 7 different modalities.
• Managing repatriations, complaints and payments of wages owed to its registry’s seafarers.
• Issuing since the end of December 2020 to date, 255,000 electronic certificates to seafarers, so that their certificates or licenses do not expire, and they can continue working.
Source: Panama Maritime Authority