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UAE and Panama sign MoU to benefit Panama-flagged vessels

The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) giving new incentives to vessels flagged in Panama.

Michele Labrut, Americas Correspondent

May 10, 2024

1 Min Read
Panama UAE
Photo: AMP

The MoU will establish a co-operation framework for the development of the “Blue Pass “project giving a series of privileges and facilities to shipping companies and shipowners visiting the ports and waters of the UAE.

With this initiative, Panama-flagged vessels will receive a series of benefits and facilities such as priority in the entry and exit from the ports, change of crew, discounts in auxiliary services with all companies, shipyards and other businesses registered in the database of the Blue Pass programme. 

Vessels flagged in Panama will have access to the database and direct contact with all the suppliers and their discounts for mutual benefit. 

The agreement was signed by Her Excellence Hessa Al Malek, Consultant for Maritime Transportation Affairs from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure in cooperation with Captain Rami Omar Al Breiki, General Director of NeoNautica for Ship and Boats Trading LLC, with headquarters in Dubai and Her Excellence Rebeca Pérez Cervantes, Ambassador of Panama in the United Arab Emirates.

This MoU is enforceable since its signature and will have a validity of two years and can be renovated with both parties’ mutual consent and the signature of a new Memorandum of Understanding. 

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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