As of 1 January 1987, procedures for the issuance of Tonnage Certificates to Panamanian flag vessels became effective. These procedures have been determined after detailed consultations and agreements with all interested parties. The changes do not affect the relationship between shipowners and Class Societies or other recognized organizations nor the validity of Tonnage Certificates already issued to Panamanian flag vessels.

In summary, this Directorate has taken a more active role in the verification of Tonnage admeasurement and in the issue of the final Tonnage Certificate. The procedures are as follows:

1. All Tonnage Certificates of whatever type will be issued by the Directorate of Consular and Maritime Affairs, New York Office.
2. Tonnage admeasurement will continue to be carried out by Class Societies and other Recognized Organizations already authorized to do so.
3. After the completion of the Tonnage admeasurement of a vessel, Class Societies or the other Recognized Organizations may issue an Interim Tonnage Certificate with a maximum validity of six (6) months.

 

4. Class Societies and other Recognized Organizations will then present to the Directorate General of Consular and Maritime Affairs, New York Office, the final Full Term Certificate sealed and signed by a responsible officer of the cognizant organization, together with information supporting the tonnage calculations and the name and address of the owners/operators of the vessel.
5. The New York Office will verify the calculations and may ask the Class Society or other Recognized Organization for additional information. In case of a discrepancy, the Directorate may request that the certificate be modified prior to its issue.

 

6. Once the calculations are verified, the New York Office will validate the Certificate by the signature of an authorized person and will send it back to the Class Society or Recognized Organization for forwarding to its destination.

For the verification of calculations and issuance of the final Certificate, Class Societies and other Recognized Organizations will remit to the government of Panama the following fees based on the Gross Tonnage of the vessel which the Certificate is issued.

In the case of sister ships, a 50% discount is to be applied to the fee of the second or succeeding vessels if the tonnage has been determined by the same Class Society or Recognized Organization, as long as the full fee was paid for the first vessel. However, the fee will never be less than $50.00.

The basic fee shall be applicable in full with the issue of every Tonnage Certificate. However, when a Tonnage Certificate is issued in duplicate forms, one each for the Spanish and English languages, the fee shall be paid for only one of the forms.

Payments are to be made quarterly every year. Payments can be made in bank drafts, international money orders or transfers to the order of the Directorate of Consular and Maritime Affairs, Republic of Panama.

3. Tonnage Admeasurement Certificate for Pleasure Craft and Fishing Vessels

As of 1 January 1987 the Directorate General of Consular and Maritime Affairs, New York Office, has the exclusive responsibility for the issuance and calculations of the Tonnage Admeasurement Certificates for Pleasure Craft and Fishing Vessels.

When contacted, Class Societies and other Recognized Organizations are to advise the owners/operators of these vessels to get in touch with the New York office to arrange for the admeasurement and the issuance of this certificate.

 

 

 

 

This procedure invalidates the previous authorization granted to Class Societies and other Recognized Organizations for the Issuance of Tonnage Admeasurement Certificates for Pleasure Craft and Fishing Vessels.

4. Re-Issue of the Certificate

Tonnage Certificates will be re-issued by the Administration in the following cases and a fee of USD 100.00 will be charged:

1. Change of vessel's name.
2. Replacement of the Certificate (such as loss of the original).

Owners may apply directly to the Directorate, New York Office, in these cases, without going to the organization involved in the calculations.

June 1992/Revised July 1993

Inquiries concerning the subject of this Circular should be directed to:
Directorate of Consular and Maritime Affairs, New York Representative Office,
Republic of Panama, 1180 Avenue of the Americas, 23rd Floor
New York, New York 10036, U.S.A.

1. Reference is made to the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships 1969, which will come into force existing ships on 18 July 1994.

2. This Administration encourage owners to remeasure their ships in accordance with the 1969 Tonnage Convention, to avoid any last minute delays.

July 1993

Inquiries concerning the subject of this Circular should be directed to:
Directorate of Consular and Maritime Affairs, New York Representative Office,
Republic of Panama, 1180 Avenue of the Americas, 23rd Floor
New York, New York 10036, U.S.A.