The original fine set by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) was $1m but the Authority said it would accept in payment at least two thirds of the fine.
The vessel was detained by Panama’s Attorney General in July 2013 for transporting a shipment of military weapons from Cuba bound for North Korea.
Panama’s Drug Prosecutor had ordered the detention of the vessel on suspicion of carrying drugs, but then found it was hiding weapons covered with more than 250,000 bags of sugar. Cuba acknowledged it was sending 240 tonnes of what it called ‘obsolete’ Soviet-era weapons to be repaired in North Korea and then returned to Cuba.
Cuban officials told Panama the cargo was a donation of sugar for the people of North Korea. Panamanian officials have said they will sell or donate the weapons and were hoping to receive financial offers for the sugar stored in silos for the past six months.
Julio Berrío, attorney for the 35-crew, said that 32 seafarers will travel to North Korea with the vessel while the captain and two other crew members will remain in Panama, as the have been charged with the possession of weapons.
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