[ Panama to Do Away With Transitional Certificates... ]

The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) is phasing out the issue of transi
tional certificates of competence (TCC) to seafarers beginning Decembe
r 31. This consequently also eliminates the examination requirement fo
r both officers and ratings.
In a notice sent to crewing agencies in Manila, the AMP said Panamania
n certificates will only be issued by the recognition procedure estanl
ished in STCW 78/95, whereby candidates submit a certificate issued by
a maritime administration recognized by the Panamanian administration
.
At the same time, certificates will be issued to seafarers who have gr
aduated from maritime training centers recognized by the Panamanian ad
ministration.
At the same time, certificates will be issued to seafarers who have gr
aduated from maritime training centers recognized by the AMP. Shipowne
rs and manning agents have long protested against the TCC, which had e
ight-month validity.