The law, cited
Every statement carries its law, article or circular. Where the rules are silent or contradict each other, we say so.
About this site
Panama Ship Registration is an information site of iurispa, a Panamanian law practice.
We explain how ships and yachts are registered under the Panama flag, with the law and the Authority’s circulars in hand, and we can act as your resident agent and handle the registration with you.
Licensed Panamanian lawyers
Your vessel is registered by attorneys admitted to practice in Panama, as the law requires of a resident agent.
Like being looked after at home
We answer in English, explain each step before you sign, and stay with you after the ship is registered.
How we check every fact
- We read every rule in the official text and link it.
- Every page shows the date it was last verified, and changes are logged on the Blog.
How we work with you
A signed contract
Before we start, we sign a written contract with you: the services, the fixed fee and what is not included.
An invoice for every expense
You receive an invoice or official receipt for every government fee and third-party cost we pay on your behalf.
Licensed attorneys
Your case is handled by Panamanian attorneys admitted to practice in Panama.
Official sources
- Law 57 of 2008, General Merchant Marine Law, Official Gazette 26100: Registration, patents, resident agent, special registries, deletion and discounts.
- Law 55 of 2008, Maritime Commerce Law, Official Gazette 26100: Ship mortgages and maritime liens, as amended by Law 27 of 2014.
- Panama Ship Registry, circulars of the Panama Maritime Authority: MMC-232 on fees, MMC-233 on registration, MMN-11/2024 on the precheck, MMC-3 on consulates.
- Panama Maritime Authority: The authority in charge of the merchant marine.
- Executive Decree 512 of 2024, Official Gazette 30141-B: Cancellation of vessels on international sanctions lists.
- Law 2 of 2009, Official Gazette 26200: Approves the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006.
Last verified: October 28, 2026
Photo credits
- Cranes and ships at the Port of Balboa on the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. Photo: Gualberto107, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped.
- A bulk carrier underway near the Panama Canal. Photo: Paul Harrison, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped.
- A container ship under the cranes of a container port in Colón. Photo: ImagePerson, CC BY 4.0, cropped.
- A container ship entering the Cocolí locks of the expanded Panama Canal. Photo: David Brossard, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped.
- A container vessel crossing Gatun Lake on the Panama Canal. Photo: ImagePerson, CC BY 4.0, cropped.
- A ship inside a lock chamber of the Panama Canal. Photo: David Brossard, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped.
- Locomotives guiding a container ship through the Miraflores Locks. Photo: Adam Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped.
- An oil tanker and a tug approaching the Gatun Locks. Photo: Paul Harrison, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped.
- A container ship berthed at the Port of Colón. Photo: Dr. Thomas Liptak, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped.
- Sailboats and yachts moored at a marina on the Caribbean side of Panama. Photo: DeVerm, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped.
The Panama Maritime Authority, its consulates and SEGUMAR
Why so many ships fly the Panama flag
Changing flag to or from Panama
Crew certificates and the MLC on Panama-flagged ships
Registering a yacht under the Panama flag
Registering a ship mortgage in Panama
Provisional and permanent registration: patent of navigation and radio license
Panama ship registration fees and annual tax
Registering a ship under construction in Panama
Registering a vessel in Panama?
Book a free 15-minute call with a Panamanian lawyer. We will tell you what your ship needs and what to prepare.