Qualship 21 Program
This year the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA), marked a milestone by entering the "Qualship 21 Program".
The Qualship 21 Program is a recognition program implemented by the United States Coast Guard, as of January 1, 2001, with the purpose of insuring safe maritime trade and committed to the environment.
Among the incentives offered by Qualship 21 Program the following standout: (I) for all vessels, the registration is valid for three years and the name of the vessel is posted on the US Coast Guard and EQUASIS website; (ii) for Tank Vessels, Certificate of Compliance (COC) annual examination reduced in scope; (iii) for Freight Vessels, three years of limited Port State Control (PSC) oversight and for Passenger Vessels, reduced scope for the environmental portion of the examination during COC periodic examination.
To qualify for the Qualship 21 Program, the vessels must abide by the policies and requirements established in the program, which encourage those exemplary vessels that have shown compliance and good environmental management.
The list of fully qualified flag administrations is updated on June 30th of each year.