Shipping News

Press, 30 August 1979, Page 10

Shipping News

Panama to improve ship registrations

The increasing number of Panamanian-registered ships using New Zealand ports are expected to come under stricter controls as a result of moves by the Republic of Panama. There are more than 8000 ships, totalling more than 20 million deadweight tonnes, under the flag of Panama, a flag of convenience, because of the country’s position as a tax haven.

Now the Republic of Panama plans to gain greater respectability for its registry by a special campaign to introduce more extensive environmental protection measures. A central, computer-backed licensing office has been set up to check on forged certificates and other misleading entries reported recently in some ships’ papers. The Republic has also been having talks with.IJH.CJD. (Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation) to arrange a programme of technical cooperation between'the Panamanian Republic and 1.M.C.0. A law was adopted recently requiring owners and charterers of Panamanian flag ships in foreign service to accept ship inspection. An owner or master who refuses to allow an inspection is subject to a penalty of up to $10,900. An office in New York is responsible for locating Panamaregistered ships in ports all over the world and has appointed independent organisations to make the inspections. The International Transport Federation keeps a watchful eye on flag of convenience ships by a world-wide network of union representatives. The I.T.F. representative af Lyttelton- is the secretary of file watersiders’ federation (StejM. E. Foster). ~ Panamanfifn authorities hope that the nejft metres will Ming

about a change with I.T.F. dealings after clashes over recent years. Although there are 8000 ships enjoying Panamanian registry, foreign owners are. employing only 450 Panamanian nationals on ships under their registry. Shipping authorities in the Republic want to see about. 2000 Panamanians employed at sea over the next two to three years. The secretary of the special seafarers’ section of I.T.F. (Mr B. Laughton) said recently: “We have been hearing this story about an improved Panamanian registry for the last 25 years and they have a long way to raise their standards to those of proper maritime nations.” ARRIVALS Coastal Trader (7.11 a.m.), 2500, Dunedin, Capt. R. A. Date S.C.N.Z.). DEPARTURES Coastal Trader (1.35 p.m.), 2500, Auckland (S.C.N.Z.). Forum Niu Gini (4 p.m.), 3894, Noumea (S.C.N.Z.). EXPECTED ARRIVALS Strathmore, Auckland, September I. Union Lyttelton, Wellington, September 2. Coastal .Trader, Auckland, September 3. Kuaka, tanker, Napier, Sept. 3. Nedlloyd Freemantle, Asia, September 4. Wild Grebe, from sea, Sept. 6. Ngahere. Tauranga, Sept. 7. Lake Eyre, Australia, Sept. 12. Encounter Bay, Wellington, September 13. PROJECTED DEPARTURES Botany Trader, for sea, today. Lista, Tauranga, today. Coastal Trader, Dunedin. Sept. 3. Union Dunedin, Sept. 4. f. '• Kuaka. Timaru, ISept. 4. ... Strathmore, for sea, Sept. 4. VESSELS.4N PORT Lista, No. 2 "East. - Botany 3 West..