MPA inks maritime deal with Panama

They will also cooperate on port state control inspections.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) to cooperate on maritime matters including the promotion of the use and acceptance of electronic certificates to facilitate port state inspections, according to a press release.

It also includes cooperating on the exercise of port state control (PSC) inspections by both countries, as well as personnel exchange.

The use of electronic certificates and cooperation on PSC aims to reduce the administrative burden of issuing, sending and keeping hard-copy certificates on board, facilitate regulatory oversight and enforcement action by the authorities and expedite port clearances. Vessels registered at either countries that call at each other’s ports can benefit from faster checks and clearances.

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MPA chief executive Quah Ley Hoon and AMP minister of maritime affairs and administrator Noriel Araúz signed the memorandum.