Bunker Creditors Free To Arrest A Vessel In Panama

The bunker is the fuel oil used to power ships. It gets the name from the containers on board vessels and in ports where the bunker is stored in. Bunker fuel constitutes a fundamental element in shipping and one of the largest expenses in shipping operations.

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Wages: A Maritime Lien

According to the Panamanian Constitution, work is considered a duty and a right of the individual[1]. In addition to the Political Constitution of the Republic of Panama, the Labor Code and Decree Law No. 8 of 1998 regulate the legal relationship between the worker and his employer, and the rules of public order that every person within the Panamanian jurisdiction must abide by.

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Claims for Loss or Damage to Cargo in Panama

  • Cargo traffic in Panamá

The Panama Canal since its inauguration in 1914 has meant being one of the main goods traffic bridges worldwide. It has connected ports and nations, has strengthened the international maritime trade, as well as, the economy of the country itself[1].

Since the expansion of the Canal, large vessels and dimensions such as the Post-panamax and the super Post-panamax, with a capacity of between 4000 and 13,640 TEU, can transit through the “aquatic motorway” that connects Atlantic and Pacific. In addition, the new dimensions allow the circulation of large passenger cruises, gas ships or coal carriage.

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Panama Takes A Step In A ´Tranquil´ Direction Damages Seamen Can Claim For Personal Injury Claims

The Court System

The Maritime System of Law offered by the Republic of Panama is comprised of a tri fold of institutions: a global Merchant Marine, an efficient Public Registry of Vessel and World Class Justice Administration by Two Specialized Maritime Courts and a Maritime Court of Appeals which controls the correct application of rule of law, both domestic and foreign whilst offering users a steady, predictable and impartial experience. Panamanian Judges are obliged by law to respect choice of law parties to any case may agreed to and thus apply foreign when the conflict rules allow for such a scenario.
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