Panama Awards First Authorization for Maritime Labour Convention to ClassNK

 

Largest class society authorized to carry out MLC certification on Panama’s behalf

The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) announced today that it had officially delegated authority to ClassNK for certification in accordance with the ILO’s Maritime Labour Convention. ClassNK thus became the first Recognized Organization (RO) to have been delegated such authority by the PMA, the world’s largest flag administration. 

In recognition of becoming the first RO to be authorized by the PMA, ClassNK Chairman and President Noboru Ueda was presented with an official certificate of authorization by His Excellency Jorge Demetrio Kosmsas Sifaki, Ambassador of the Republic of Panama in Japan, and Mr. Alfonso Castillero, Director of the PMA’s Directorate General of Merchant Marine, during an official visit to the ClassNK Head Office in Tokyo.

ClassNK expects to begin offering inspection and certification for MLC compliance as soon as Panama finalizes amendments to its domestic regulations in line with the new convention, a process expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Including this new authorization from Panama, as well as authorizations the Society has already received from the Bahamas, and the Marshall Islands, flag administrations, ClassNK expects to be able to offer MLC certification on behalf of a total of 11 leading flag administrations.