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Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Panama removes over 650 ships from registry amid sanctions, stricter rules
FILE PHOTO: A LPG tanker ship sails through the Panama Canal after Panama's Maritime Authority said on Friday it will reinforce controls for ship-to-ship operations by Panama-flagged vessels, following an increase in the use of \"dark-fleet\" tankers to skirt sanctions or evade environmental requirements, in Gamboa, Panama, May 23, 2025. REUTERS/Enea Lebrun/File Photo PANAMA CITY - Panama's Maritime Authority has removed from its registry more than 650 vessels since 2019 as part of an effort to fulfill U.S. sanctions and enforce stricter rules for the ships it flags, it said on Monday. A total of 214 vessels have been withdrawn from Panama's registry, among the world's largest with more than 8,500 ships, since it began implementing measures last year allowing it to act faster to help enforce sanctions, the authority added. Ships cannot sail under Panama's flag once they are removed from its registry. Panama responded to criticism by non-governmental organization United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which last week said Panama had not taken sufficient action against sanction violators and asked it to "immediately cease facilitating Iran's illicit oil trade" and withdraw its flag from all tankers carrying Iranian oil. According to UANI, nearly one in five vessels suspected of transporting Iranian oil sails under Panama's flag. "This is not just a failure of Panama's registry. It's a direct threat to global sanctions compliance and regional and U.S. security," it said. Panama in 2019 signed an agreement with other flag countries including Liberia and Marshall Islands to exchange information about vessels whose registrations were canceled or rejected due to potential sanction violations. It also began implementing measures against ships that deliberately turn off their transponders to avoid tracking. In May, the authority said it would reinforce controls for ship-to-ship operations by Panama-flagged vessels, following an increase in the use of "dark-fleet" tankers to skirt sanctions or evade environmental requirements. The U.S. has increased pressure on countries with large vessel registries to help enforce sanctions. U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized the expansion of a dark fleet of tankers moving sanctioned oil and threatened to take over the Panama Canal. The Central American nation is collaborating with the United States on its registry, the authority said in its press release. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Panama removes over 650 ships from registry amid sanctions, stricter rules
FILE PHOTO: A LPG tanker ship sails through the Panama Canal after Panama's Maritime Authority said on Friday it will reinforce controls for ship-to-ship operations by Panama-flagged vessels, following an increase in the use of "dark-fleet" tankers to skirt sanctions or evade environmental requirements, in Gamboa, Panama, May 23, 2025. REUTERS/Enea Lebrun/File Photo PANAMA CITY (Reuters) -Panama's Maritime Authority has removed from its registry more than 650 vessels since 2019 as part of an effort to fulfill U.S. sanctions and enforce stricter rules for the ships it flags, it said on Monday. A total of 214 vessels have been withdrawn from Panama's registry, among the world's largest with more than 8,500 ships, since it began implementing measures last year allowing it to act faster to help enforce sanctions, the authority added. Ships cannot sail under Panama's flag once they are removed from its registry. Panama responded to criticism by non-governmental organization United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which last week said Panama had not taken sufficient action against sanction violators and asked it to "immediately cease facilitating Iran's illicit oil trade" and withdraw its flag from all tankers carrying Iranian oil. According to UANI, nearly one in five vessels suspected of transporting Iranian oil sails under Panama's flag. "This is not just a failure of Panama's registry. It's a direct threat to global sanctions compliance and regional and U.S. security," it said. Panama in 2019 signed an agreement with other flag countries including Liberia and Marshall Islands to exchange information about vessels whose registrations were canceled or rejected due to potential sanction violations. It also began implementing measures against ships that deliberately turn off their transponders to avoid tracking. In May, the authority said it would reinforce controls for ship-to-ship operations by Panama-flagged vessels, following an increase in the use of "dark-fleet" tankers to skirt sanctions or evade environmental requirements. The U.S. has increased pressure on countries with large vessel registries to help enforce sanctions. U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized the expansion of a dark fleet of tankers moving sanctioned oil and threatened to take over the Panama Canal. The Central American nation is collaborating with the United States on its registry, the authority said in its press release. (Reporting by Elida Moreno; writing by Marianna Parraga; Editing by Leslie Adler and Rod Nickel)
Straits Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
In Panama, Trump's new ambassador casts China as threat to frayed alliance
The flags of Panama and China are seen during a meeting held with Chinese and Panamanian companies to sign several trade agreements, in Panama City, Panama August 26, 2024. REUTERS/Enea Lebrun/File Photo In Panama, Trump's new ambassador casts China as threat to frayed alliance PANAMA CITY - The United States' new ambassador to Panama pledged on Thursday to strengthen ties with the Central American country while pushing China as a common threat. "First among my priorities will be to strengthen our joint work to counter harmful influences in the region, such as that of China," Ambassador Kevin Cabrera said during a press conference at his official residence. Cabrera arrived in the country late last month following an escalation of tensions between Washington and Panama City. China's presence in Panama has been a point of a criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said his administration would "take back" the Panama Canal from Chinese influence. "China is not a good ally neither for Panama nor for our hemisphere," Cabrera said on Thursday, adding that the two countries would collaborate on issues of drug trafficking and to boost security at the Panama Canal. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Trump says US ships should be allowed to travel through the Panama and Suez canals for free
FILE PHOTO: An aerial view shows a cargo vessel transits through the Agua Clara Locks at the Panama Canal, in Colon, Panama, February 1, 2025. REUTERS/Enea Lebrun/File Photo Trump says US ships should be allowed to travel through the Panama and Suez canals for free WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that American military and commercial ships should be allowed to travel through the Panama Canal and Suez Canal free of charge. "I've asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to immediately take care of, and memorialize, this situation," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. The Panama Canal crosses the narrowest part of the isthmus between North and South America, allowing ships to move more quickly between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It carries about 40% of U.S. container traffic each year. The U.S. completed construction of the canal in the early 20th century but gave control of the strategically important waterway to Panama in 1999. Trump has said repeatedly that he wants to "take back" the canal. Before taking office in January, he told reporters that he would not rule out using economic or military force to regain control over the canal. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Reverse migration: Venezuelans head back toward South America after US dreams dashed
By Enea Lebrun GARDI SUGDUB ISLAND, Panama (Reuters) - Dozens of Venezuelan migrants boarded small boats on an island off the Caribbean coast of Panama on Monday, setting off towards Colombia by sea as part of a reverse migration of families who have given up trying to reach the United States. At least six boats, each with more than a dozen people aboard, departed the island of Gardi Sugdub in the San Blas Archipelago off the coast of Panama, aiming to reach Playa Miel near the Colombian border. From there, the migrants explained that they planned to continue their southbound journey until arriving home in their native Venezuela. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Fabiola Rodriguez, a Venezuelan migrant who reached Mexico but was unable to enter the United States, was among dozens who waited to board the small boats over the weekend. She said that a lack of clarity from Panamanian officials about repatriation options forced her and others to make their way home on their own, despite the costs and the dangers. A Venezuelan girl died over the weekend, after one of these boats shipwrecked with more than a dozen migrants on board, according to Panamanian authorities. Daniel Gonzalez, a Venezuelan man traveling with his wife, daughter, and niece, said that they would rather be in Venezuela than in another country in the region, such as Mexico or Costa Rica. On Sunday, he and his family waited at the port of Niga Kantule for a boat that would take them to Gardi Sugdub island. "Of course, we wanted to reach the United States to have a better life," he said. "But that wasn't possible." The reverse migration follows U.S. President Donald Trump's crackdown on unlawful migration, including a broad ban on asylum in addition to the elimination of his predecessor's humanitarian parole programs, which had offered some migrants legal pathways to enter the United States.
