Updates you need to know if you have vessels going to Panama

Panama extends lockdown until 14th January 2021.

Panama’s Ministry of Health released Decree 1686 on 28th December 2020 stating that:

Panama City (Capital) will be under full lock down 4-14 January 2021. This is an extension of the lockdown already in planned from 31st December until 4th January 2021. As such, lockdown runs from 31st December 2020 1900 until 14th January 2021.

Citizens will only be allowed to go out to buy food and medicine between 4th and 14th January from 0700 to 1900 as follows:

• Females: Monday, Wednesday and Friday for two hours only
• Males: Tuesday and Thursday for two hours only

Due to this recent Decree, in which Panama extends lockdown, strikes and protests are expected, starting 29th December 2020. They are expected to take place in areas of strategic access, such as highways to and from the airport.

Workers, as per exceptions established in Article 7 of the Decree, are partially exempt to the lockdown. They must provide a company letter, company ID and waiver issued by ministry of commerce to be exempt. Despite presenting all documentation, workers might still have issues getting to/from their work places.

We strongly recommend that you plan your requirements (such as spares, crews and ancillary services) in advance. We suggest leaving at least 3 working days prior to crew boarding the first flight for crew changes, and 2-3 working days prior delivery date for airfreight arriving into Panama.

Finally, kindly note current COVID statics in Panama:

• New Cases (29/12/2020): 3,892
• Total Cases: 233,705
• Recovered: 187,552
• Deaths: 3,892
• COVID Tests Done: 1,259,828
• Lethality: 1.67%
• ICU: 182
• Contagion Radius: 1.08
• Source: La Prensa Panama (Newspaper)

YOUR VESSELS, OUR PORTS

Capas is our partner in Panama for your port calls in: Bahía Las Minas (Terminal Granalera & Chevron), Colón 2000, Colón Container Terminal, Oil Tanking, Manzanillo International Terminal, Melones Oil Terminal, P.P.C. Balboa & Drydock MEC, Patsa & Potsa, PPC Christóbal & Telfer Tanks, PSA, PTP Charzo Azul, PTP Chiriquí Grande, Taboguilla.

Do you have vessels in Panama and need someone who will help you navigate the lockdown and solve shipping problems before they have even happened? Contact MasOceans SA and together with our local partners in Panama, Capas E.E.V., your port calls will run smoothly.

Book a port with Martaxelle Erussard | martaxelle@masoceans.com | +41 (0) 22 552 00 51