The Permanent Mission of Panama to the International Maritime Organization (IMO)

The Permanent Mission of Panama to the International Maritime Organization (MPPO for it acronym in Spanish), is a section of the Panama Maritime Authority which serves as an interface between the Panama Maritime Authority and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

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The IMO is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of international shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships. As a specialised agency of the United Nations, the IMO is the standard-setting authority for safety, security, and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main function is to establish a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair, effective, and enforceable at the international level.

 

The Republic of Panama contributes greatly to the IMO, in the establishment of standards and actions in the areas of maritime safety, security, marine environmental protection, and technical cooperation.

 

The Republic of Panama is a member of the Council of the IMO since 1979. Afterwards, with the entry into force in 2002 of the 1993 amendments to the Constitutive Agreement of the Organization, the Republic of Panama was elected as a member of the category ¨A¨ of the Council.

 

The IMO has 175 Member States, of which 40 States are Members of the Council, and only 10 States are Category “A”, being the ones with the greatest interests in the provision of international maritime services. This demonstrates the high level of commitment that the Republic of Panama has with the IMO and the shipping industry.

 

The Panama Ship Registry is one of the oldest registries in the world, with a leadership position worldwide. It was established in 1917 and more than a century later, the Panama Maritime Authority, overseer of the Ship Registry, continues to be recognized as a responsible Administration, committed to its customers, offering high quality services and believing in continuous improvement.

 

The Republic of Panama as one of IMO´s Member States participates actively in the respective Assemblies, Councils, Committees, Sub-Committees, Inter-sessional meetings and Working Groups of the Organization, through its Permanent Mission based in London, United Kingdom.

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The Permanent Mission of Panama to the IMO is composed of the following staff:

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• Luis Bernal Gonzalez

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Panama to the IMO
Email: lbernal@panamauk.org
Tel: +44 (0) 2074092255 ext. 215
 

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• Anays Berrocal

Alternate Representative I of Panama to the IMO
Email: aberrocal@panamauk.org
Tel: +44 (0) 2074092255 ext. 211
 

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• Felix O. Sarlat

Alternate Representative II of Panama to the IMO
Email: fsarlat@panamauk.org
Tel: +44 (0) 207 629 3650
 

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• Rafael Lopez Solis

Technical Adviser of Panama to the IMO
Email: rlopez@panamauk.org
Tel: +44 (0) 2074092255 ext. 314

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• Jacqueline Da Luz

Email: imomission@panamauk.org
Tel: +44 (0) 2074092255 ext. 216
 

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We are very grateful for the continuous contribution of the IMO to the Panama Ship Registry, and we look forward to maintaining the excellent relationship between the Republic of Panama and the IMO along with all Member States, sharing the same goal and working diligently for the maritime industry.