Panama will no longer allow the registration of oil tankers and bulk carriers older than fifteen years under its flag to improve the performance of its fleet, minimize the risk of detentions and prevent the entry of vessels associated with the so-called ‘shadow’ or ‘dark’ fleet.

According to the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA), the measure was adopted following findings by the Directorate General of the Merchant Marine, which determined that 71% of detentions within the fleet between 2023 and the first half of 2025 involved bulkers, general cargo ships and oil tankers over 15 years old.