INTLREG NEWS

The Panama Ship Registry has introduced new digital services to enable it to give an immediate response to shipowners during the crisis created by the Covid-19 pandemic

The Registry has introduced from 13 April electronic Ship Registration and electronic Radio Licences issued by the 13 international offices and/or by the 53 consulates offices. These documents are validated through QRs and bar codes. The Registry has so far in use 10 electronic certificates, and eight more in process of been digitalised.

These new forms include the following features: papers less initiative – ecofriendly, documents self-protected from unauthorized editions, a unique sequential number assigned and controlled only by the Panama Maritime Authority Directorate of Merchant Marine (the Ship Registry), QR code (two-dimensional bar code), that leads to an application displaying the information of the document in a real time, thus evidencing its authenticity. So, any authority or any third party could confirm the validity of the documents scanned by a simple QR reader available in app store and/or play store at any giving time.

The Panamanian Consulates issue the Provisional Ship Registration and Radio Licence in hard copy. “We are introducing the use of digital signature. Both options – paper and electronic format – are going to be kept and functional onboard so we make sure all ship´s owners and their vessels are provided with the documents they need in a real time. There will be a transition period. By keeping both options, we guaranty smooth transition,” said direction of merchant marine and head of the Ship Registry, Rafael Cigarruista.

Panama Ship Registry has developed several actions with respect to the COVID-19.  Around some 500 vessels have requested support for which the 13 International Technical Offices – Segumar Offices – have granted authorizations, extensions, special authorizations, due to COVID-19:  Seafarers Employment’s Agreements; Equipment (LSA / FFE ) Inspection extension; Dry Dock Extension (under case by case bases); Conditional Certificate granted; Statutory Certificates Extensions; ISM & ISPS Audit Extension; Crew Dispensation; Revalidation of Certificates; Non-Compliant Fuel Oil and Reinstatement.

International Register of Shipping is a recognized Organization approved for the issuance of the Class Certificate by Panama Maritime Authority. Users of the Panamanian Registry can contact hashtag#INTLREG at services@intlreg.org for any requirements related to the Class Certificate in accordance with the provisions of the International Conventions ratified by the Republic of Panama.

The spread of the COVID-19 virus is causing significant issues in the shipbuilding industry, but English law has no general concept of force majeure, and this is a key factor in the relationship between shipyards and shipowners.

Shipyards are facing disruption to new building, repair and conversion projects due to the impact of the virus on their labour force and the ability of their subcontractors to meet their commitments to supply materials and equipment necessary for the completion of such projects.

As a result, shipyards in China, and elsewhere, have sought to invoke the force majeure provisions under their contracts with shipowners because of COVID-19 in order to obtain ‘no fault’ extensions of the delivery dates under these contracts.

This in turn has caused issues for shipowners who are now facing potential delays to the delivery of the vessels that they have contracted to buy, repair or convert, especially where those vessels are for delivery into a specific project or long term charter or the conversion works are linked to compliance with the 2020 low sulphur fuel cap.

Because most contracts are subject to English law, shipbuilding contracts must have an actual force majeure clause for the shipyard to claim force majeure and the burden of proof is on the shipyard.

On BIMCO’s website, members can read the full article that looks at force majeure provisions in standard form shipbuilding contracts and how these might operate in the context of COVID-19.

International Register of Shipping (INTLREG) to be the First RO to sign re-validation of the existing approval as per new regulations from the Marina, The Maritime Industry Authority -Philippines.

International Register of Shipping (INTLREG ) and The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) governing the delegation of statutory certification and services for ships registered in the Philippines on 14 October 2019 at the MARINA Central Office.

MARINA Vice Admiral Narciso A Vingson Jr commended the IRS for accepting the duties and responsibilities as Recognized Organization to perform statutory certification and services to Philippine shipping companies and their Philippine-registered ships, pursuant to the Recognized Organization Code and the MARINA Circular No. 2018 – 01.

INTLREG is expanding surveyor network at Philippines with authorization for domestic as well as International vessels with the approval of MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority).

Our Services include: –

1. Classification & Statutory Surveys –
2. ISM Internal & External Audits –
3. New Build Services

INTLREG is fully approved for classification and statutory certification by the MARINA for vessels flying the Philippines flag with an exclusive survey station based in Manila.

To request classification or statutory certification services or to coordinate a survey or ISM Audits or New Build Services  please contact : services@intlreg.org