The Maritime Authority of Panama (AMP) communicates that from July 1, 2019 to December 27, 2021, the historical recovery of USD$ 10,447,142.25 has been achieved in terms of salary payments owed by shipowners (ship owners) to seafarers (sailors) who sail on Panamanian-flagged vessels.

Of the aforementioned record figure, USD$ 7,660,455.55 corresponds only to the year 2021, which represents an increase of 279% compared to the end of 2020, which had been USD$ 2,021,691.29.

In addition, during the current administration, the processing of 797 maritime labor complaints, 56 maritime labor conciliations has been achieved and through the intervention of the AMP the shipowners, operators and Protection and Compensation Clubs (known as P&I Clubs), the repatriation of 1,386 crew members of various nationalities, who were abandoned on Panamanian-flagged ships in different parts of the world, was executed, allowing them to return to their homes with their families with the payment of their wages owed, guaranteeing due compliance with national and international regulations that protect their labor and social rights.

Detailed as follows:

From January 1 – to December 27, 2021.
The payment of USD$ 7,660,455.55 in wages owed by shipowners to seafarers was achieved.
Processing of 243 labor complaints.
Processing of 19 labor conciliations.
As a result of the intervention of the AMP, the shipowners were able to carry out the repatriation of 761 tonsof Panamanian-flagged vessels in various parts of the world.
End of the year 2020.
The payment of USD$ 2,021,691.29 in wages owed by shipowners to seafarers was achieved.
Processing of 427 labor complaints.
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, no work conciliations were held this year.
As a result of the intervention of the AMP, the shipowners were able to execute the repatriation of 539 crew members on Panamanian-flagged ships, in various parts of the world.
End of the year 2019.

The payment of USD$ 764,995.41 in wages owed by shipowners to seafarers was achieved.

Processing of 127 labor complaints.
Processing of 37 labor conciliations.
As a result of the intervention of the AMP, the shipowners were able to execute the repatriation of 86 crew members of Panamanian-flagged ships, in various parts of the world.

This hard work proves once again our commitment to compliance with international conventions and national regulations that regulate the work of seafarers on board Panamanian-flagged ships, through the application of the group of rules that regulate living conditions, which guarantee decent work, such as the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 as amended, ratified by the Republic of Panama in 2009; its regulation in Panama through Executive Decree No. 86 of 2013 and Executive Decree No. 160 of March 3, 2021, these excellent results are being achieved.

The General Directorate of Seafarers, of the Maritime Authority of Panama, ensures that the labor rights of seafarers are respected, putting into practice the procedures aimed at resolving quickly and effectively the conflicts and problems that afflict seafarers, guaranteeing a secure support as a serious and responsible ship registry.

Source: Maritime Authority of Panama