Panama takes action against sanctioned ships

The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) has initiated the expedited cancellation of six Panamanian-flagged vessels recently added to the UK’s sanctions list. 

The UK has sanctioned more Russian-linked shadow ships than any country, its latest package being announced a week ago. The London-headquartered Barbados Maritime Ship Registry remains the flag with the highest number of UK-sanctioned ships on its books, accounting for more than 40% of the 73 tankers targeted by the UK since Keir Starmer became British prime minister in early July. 

“The state has a fundamental responsibility to protect the integrity of the Panamanian ship registry, ensuring it remains free from international sanctions and unlinked to vessels associated with such listings,” said Ramón Franco, director-general of merchant marine in Panama.

Data from Kpler shows that in November, the flags of Gabon, Liberia, and Cook Islands removed the most grey and sanctioned ships from their registries.