Panama – “Type approval” and “satisfaction of the Administration”

C24020 | 17 April 2024

Notice to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators / Surveyors / Auditors :

The Panama Maritime Authority has revised Circular MMC-192 — Guidance on “Type Approval” and “satisfaction of the Administration.”

The Circular is in accordance with Panama Resolution No. 106-002 of January 04, 2024, which revoked Resolution No. 106-181-DGMM of December 24, 2021.

The Circular advises that “Criteria of the Administration” or “satisfaction of the Administration” means the unified interpretations developed and approved by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and/or specialized International Organizations recognized by the IMO. Panama’s interpretations might be established to comply with certain provisions of relevant international instruments open to the criteria or satisfaction of the Administration.

Guidance for Type-Approved Equipment or Systems Acceptance

Equipment and systems will be considered as accepted by the Republic of Panama where:

1. they have been developed and approved within IMO Committees (and therefore meeting IMO technical or performance standards). Such equipment shall be accepted by ROs.When verifying equipment or systems, ROs are to ensure the type-approval certificate has been issued by other IMO member States. If new technologies require approval of the IMO Committees the Recognized Organizations shall verify that technology has been already approved.
2. they are only required to be type-approved provided:
   • the Equipment or systems are approved by traditional maritime countries that are members of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which have national, regional, or international provisions for the approval of certain types of equipment or systems;ROs must accept such approved equipment or systems.
   • the equipment or systems are approved under the standards developed by specialized International Organizations and recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), i.e. the ISO, IEC standards, and the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) according to their specifications to approve equipment, systems or materials on board their classed ships.

If any doubt exists about such approvals, Recognized Organizations may perform additional verification of the type-approved equipment or system.

The above does not apply:

• to services and/or inspection approvals,
• for alternative designs and arrangements, and
• in case of equivalents unless expressly delegated by the Administration.

Guidance concerning the “Criteria of the Administration” or “Satisfaction of the Administration”

The Administration first considers interpretations developed and approved by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In their absence, International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) approved unified interpretations may be used as a base to establish specific requirements to comply with certain provisions of the relevant international instruments.

If the Administration is not satisfied with any unified interpretation or no interpretation exists, then, its own interpretation will be established through the Merchant Marine Circulars or through individual statements according to the specific case.

Act now

All Ship Owners / Managers / Operators / Surveyors / Auditors should note the above and be guided accordingly