Panama seeks to boost ship registry with Greek shipowners

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino is actively promoting the strengthening of Panama's ship registry during an official visit to Greece. He met with Greek shipowners and maritime sector representatives, presenting Panama's strategy to enhance its flag's value and solidify its global competitiveness in vessel registration.

Mulino emphasized the crucial role of the Greek shipping industry for Panama, noting that it accounts for approximately 500 ships registered under the Panamanian flag. This sector contributes significantly to Panama's maritime standing, representing over 20% of global cargo maritime transport. "The Greek maritime sector is of great importance to Panama due to its weight in the international shipping industry and its significant presence within our registry," Mulino stated.

During his visit, Mulino also engaged with Greek leadership on international geopolitical situations and current maritime sector challenges. He expressed Panama's desire for unified criteria to foster more effective maritime and commercial collaboration. Discussions also addressed the situation of Panamanian ships in China, with both nations agreeing to develop mechanisms to resolve existing concerns.

Panamanian officials accompanying Mulino, including the Minister for Canal Affairs and the Director General of Merchant Marine, presented ongoing infrastructure and modernization projects. These initiatives aim to bolster Panama's logistics and maritime platform, including improvements to Tocumen International Airport, new port concessions, highway rehabilitation, and expansions related to the Panama Canal.