Panama Joins Tokyo MOU

zoom Members of the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control in the Asia-Pacific Region (Tokyo MOU) have granted Panama, the worlds largest flag state, the status of a Cooperating Member, according to Autoridad Maritima de Panama (AMP). The Tokyo MOUs Port State Control Committee accepted Panama to its ranks during its twenty-sixth meeting held in Putrajaya, Malaysia. AMP says that the acceptance of Panama to the Tokyo MOU is a tribute to the efficiency and technical quality of the countrys ship register. The AMP Administrator Jorge Bakarat said that by accessing the Tokyo MOU Panama will have the opportunity to obtain detailed information on inspections, deficiencies and detentions of ships in different ports in Asia Pacific, Panama can now also develop direct contacts with port authorities within the Tokyo MOU, which will directly benefit the Panama-flagged ships in the region. World Maritime News Staff