Ship Arrest PSA Panama International Terminal

Ship Arrest PSA Panama International Terminal

A vessel calling at PSA Panama International Terminal may have a tightly scheduled commercial operation. For a maritime creditor, this creates a practical issue: the opportunity to address an unpaid claim may be considerably shorter than the time normally associated with ordinary commercial debt recovery.

The PSA terminal is located on the Pacific side of the Panama Canal area and serves container shipping operations. Claims involving vessels at the terminal can nevertheless arise from many different forms of marine support.

Maritime Services Beyond Cargo Handling

Container vessels still require extensive technical and operational assistance.

A creditor may have supplied:

• Provisions and bonded stores
• Engine and deck spare parts
• Electrical components
• Navigation equipment
• Communication systems
• Mechanical repairs
• Technical services
• Diving or underwater inspection
• Emergency repairs
• Ship agency assistance

The invoice may be issued to an operator, manager, agent or procurement company rather than the vessel owner.

The Short Terminal Call Problem

A ship may arrive, complete its cargo operation and continue its voyage according to a tightly coordinated schedule.

For that reason, creditors should establish the vessel identity immediately.

The IMO number, vessel name, owner, manager, agent and expected departure can help determine whether the ship remains in a position where Panamanian legal remedies can be considered.

Panama Vessel Seizure Procedure

Panama's Maritime Courts operate under Law No. 8 of 1982 and its subsequent amendments. The Maritime Procedure Code provides mechanisms for the seizure of vessels, including provisions concerning how and where a seizure order is executed.

The law specifically contemplates providing the court with information about the location, date and time at which a vessel seizure can be carried out.

This is why a creditor should not wait until the vessel has disappeared from the terminal area.

A Proper Claim File

Before local proceedings are considered, we recommend assembling the complete evidence:

• Invoice and statement of account
• Purchase order
• Delivery receipt
• Vessel attendance report
• Master or crew confirmation
• Service completion document
• Relevant correspondence
• Vessel IMO number
• Debtor and owner information

Our South America maritime claims network coordinates these cases with Panama maritime counsel.

If your company supplied a vessel at PSA Panama International Terminal, performed repairs, attended electrical or electronic equipment, carried out diving work or provided another marine service and remains unpaid, send us the claim documents and vessel details for assessment.