NL 362/26 | PMA: Ship-to-Ship (STS) Transfer Operations and flag notification (MMC -217)
Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of Panamanian Flagged vessels
Action Date: January 2026
Dear All,
The Panama Maritime Authority, via Merchant Marine Circular 217 has restructured its requirements for Ship-to-Ship (STS) transfer operations and flag notations concerning Panamanian Oil Tankers of 150 GRT and above. More specifically:
The STS operation Plan shall be developed taking into account the safety and pollution prevention provisions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions and the information contained in the best practice guidelines for STS operations identified by
IMO’s “Manual on Oil Pollution, Section I, Prevention” as amended,
ICS OCIMF Ship to Ship Transfer Guide for Petroleum, Chemicals and Liquefied Gases (2025),
STS operation Plan shall be written in English and the working language of the ship;
STS operations shall be conducted according to the approved STS Operations Plan;
All Ship Operator Companies of all Panamanian flagged oil tankers of 150 GT and above shall update their STS Operations Plan to include the Notification to the Flag State regarding when and where this STS operations will take place.
The January 2026 update of MMC-217 provides for:
The STS operation Plan shall be developed taking into account ICS OCIMF Ship to Ship Transfer Guide for Petroleum, Chemicals and Liquefied Gases (2025),
It is strictly prohibited for Panamanian-flagged vessels to provide, facilitate, and/or participate, directly or indirectly, in any form of support to sanctioned vessels, in accordance with the provisions of Executive Decree No. 512 of October 18, 2024.
For the full text please follow the link below.
Merchant Marine Circular 217
PHRS NL 325/25 is also relevant.
