Panama City: The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) Chief Executive Tay Lim Heng said yesterday that his organisation and the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) will strengthen ties to face the issue of piracy and further co-operation between flag states. MPA's Tay Lim Heng, accompanied by Singapore Ambassador to Panama Ms. Mary Seet Cheng, was visiting Panama to meet the AMP Administrator Fernando Solorzano and AMP Merchant Marine Chief Alfonso Castillero, the Panama Canal Administrator and Panama's Chamber of Shipping president.
The discussions between the two maritime authorities focused on the future signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between both countries to promote co-operation of Panama and Singapore as flag states, regional cooperation to combat piracy and armed robbery, updates on co-operative mechanisms, greenhouse Co2 emissions and synergy in maritime education and training. "It is a good start," said Tay who noted that both authorities face common challenges. "There is the potential to co-operate more closely," said Tay. Tay invited Panama to join the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery (ReCAAP) and participate in the next Government Meeting in February in Singapore, whether Panama could play a role in the organisation. Panama Register has seen several of its vessels affected by piracy in the Malacca Straits in recent years, said AMP Administrator Fernando Solorzano. [28/11/08]
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