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Panama Maritime Authority issues 123,000 electronic certs since going onlinePanama Maritime Authority issues 123,000 electronic certs since going online

With the shift to issuing of seafarers’ certificates and documentation in electronic format, the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) has issued some 123,676 electronic certificates.

Michele Labrut, Americas Correspondent

May 6, 2021

1 Min Read
AMP
Image: AMP

Certificates issued online cover - transitional certificates (CT's), certificate of course endorsements, proficiency certificates and endorsements of proficiency certificates.

The AMP said, in a statement, that the electronic procedure could generate annual savings to the State of approximately $105,400. Similarly, some certificates and documentation continue to be issued in the printed version on security paper.

This new method of issuing certificates online has had a good acceptance, since in addition to facilitating the process and reducing the response time to the client. The documents have a unique tracking number as well as a quick verification code (QR Code) that will allow both seafarers and inspectors streamline the processes of obtaining and validating the document.

In addition to the advantages at an economic, operational and sustainability level, the adoption of this new technology is part of a strategy focused on a paper-less culture in order to benefit the environment by reducing the impact of the use of paper.

About the Author

Michele Labrut

Americas Correspondent

Michèle Labrut is a long-time Panama resident, a journalist and correspondent, and has continuously covered the maritime sector of Central & Latin America.

Michèle first came to Panama as a press attaché to the French Embassy and then returned to the isthmus as a foreign correspondent in the 1980s.

Author of Seatrade Maritime's annual Panama Maritime Review magazine and of several books, Michèle also wrote for Time magazine, The Miami Herald, NBC News and the Economist Intelligence Unit. She has also collaborated in making several documentaries for the BBC and European and U.S. television networks.

Michèle's profession necessitates a profound knowledge of the country, but her acumen is not from necessity alone, but a genuine passion for Panama.

In 2012 she was awarded the Order of Merit (Knight grade) by the French Government for her services to international journalism and in 2021 the upgrade to Chevalier grade.

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