Panama Maritime Warning the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) has released an urgent security advisory, instructing Panama-flagged vessels to enforce heightened protective measures when sailing through conflict-prone waters in the Middle East.
Through Maritime Notice MMN 04/2025, the General Directorate of Merchant Marine (DGMM) emphasized serious security threats to ships and their crews in areas near Iran, Israel, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz.
AMP Urges Enhanced Security for Vessels
In light of rising regional tensions, the AMP outlined a series of mandatory safety practices for vessels operating in these high-risk zones:
- Raise onboard security levels before entering affected waters
- Conduct specific threat evaluations for every voyage
- Maintain constant monitoring from the ship’s bridge
- Stay vigilant on all communication channels and surroundings
- Prohibit small boats from approaching the vessel
- Apply strict control over boarding access
These instructions aim to reduce the vulnerability of vessels and crews navigating volatile maritime routes.
Additional Advisory for Yemen’s Ras Isa Port
In a separate advisory, Maritime Notice MMN-03/2025, AMP addressed increasing dangers at Yemen’s Ras Isa port. This notice follows both the intensifying violence in the region and the expiration of a key U.S. Treasury license.
On April 4, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) allowed General License 25A to lapse. This change prohibits all petroleum transfers at Houthi-controlled ports like Ras Isa, classifying such actions as material support to terrorism under U.S. law.
Sanctions and Legal Risks for Maritime Stakeholders
AMP cautioned that ships, along with their owners, operators, insurers, and financial backers, could face penalties if they engage in prohibited activities at Ras Isa. Several ships have already incurred fines for violating these terms.
The Authority recommended that all Panama-flagged vessels carefully evaluate their legal obligations and operational risks. Shipowners are strongly encouraged to consult legal experts before proceeding with any delivery or anchoring in Houthi-controlled maritime regions.
Final Reminder from AMP
Both notices underline the AMP’s priority to ensure the safety of vessels and crew registered under the Panamanian flag. The agency called on all ship operators to remain alert, update voyage security protocols, and avoid unnecessary exposure in dangerous waters.
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