PANAMA Maritime Authority (AMP) has said it will arrange its vessel certification to comply with new International Maritime Organisation (IMO)maritime security codes, which are to come into force by July 2004.
About 150 representatives of Panama's maritime sector this week met IMO secretary-general Bill O'Neil, who explained the new measures and the responsibilities of both the AMP and the private sector. The AMP also announced the creation of a special task force to deal with port security problems.
All the 7,000 or so large commercial vessels registered under the Panama flag will need to submit a Vessel Security Plan and other security measures to the AMP for certification to show compliance with the International Ship and Port facility Security code.
- Fairplay News
