REPUBLIC OF PANAMA

Ministry of Finance and Treasury

Office of the Directorate of Merchant Marine Circular No. 89

Consular and Maritime Affairs

To: Shipowners/Operators of Panamanian Flag Vessels and to Classification Societies

and Recognized Organizations

Subject: ITC 69

Reference: - International tonnage Convention, 1969

- IMO Resolution A.494(XII), A.540(13), A.541(13)

- IMO Resolution A.758(18)

1. Reference is made to the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships 1969, which came into force for all ships on 18 July 1994.

2. All ships the keels of which were laid before 31 December 1985, that have been measured in accordance with National rules in effect prior to the coming into effect of the International Tonnage Convention, 1969, may continue to apply these national rules for statutory certificates, in accordance with the International Maritime Organization Resolutions on the subject, specifically IMO Resolution A.494 (XII) regarding Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS), Resolution A.541 (13) regarding the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973/1978 (MARPOL), and A.540 (13) regarding the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping, 1978 (STCW). In such cases, the tonnage measured under the International Tonnage Convention, 1969, as shown in the ITC 69 tonnage certificate, shall not be applied to vessels for statutory certificates of SOLAS, MARPOL, or STCW, unless the original tonnage certificate is based on the ITC69.

3. This Administration has authorized Class Societies and other Recognized Organizations to make the entries as called for by IMO Resolution A.758 (18) in the REMARKS section of the 1969 Tonnage Certificate for existing Panamanian vessels as defined in article 3(2)(d) of the Convention and for Panamanian vessels covered by Resolution A.494(XII). In some cases both entries would apply. For Panamanian vessels already in possession of the 1969 Tonnage Certificate and not having the above entry/entries and where the entry/entries would apply, their tonnage certificates can be sent to Directorate of Consular and Maritime Affairs - New York Representative Office for entry/entries, at no cost to the owners.

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.