Crisis: Carnival cruise ships abandon Panamanian flag

The crisis that is Maritime Administration of Panama (AMP)in charge of Noriel Araúz, it gets worse. Not just line removal Norwegian cruiseswho had to Panama as a port the departure of their ships, is a clear sign of the disaster in which this administration abandons the Panamanian ship registry and other maritime activities.

Now the line of Carnival cruises have begun withdrawing their ships of the new construction of the Panamanian ship registry, to take over another flag: the flag of the Bahamas.

It’s about mardi gras cruises with a construction report in 2020. Carnival celebration built in 2022, and Carnival Jubilee from 2023.

Once more The cruise line alerted AMP. Carnival he sent several notices Merchant Marine Administration about the agreements he made AMP which affect the financial operations of their vessels under Flag of Panama. The problem is directly related to the increase in insurance premiums, due to new decisions made by UPZ.

That doesn’t seem to have been resolved, so Carnival has begun withdrawing its ships, starting with the newer ones, according to sources in the tourism industry. He also explained that these ships were flagged Bahamas before being put into service, which is another blow to Panama’s shipping registry and the country’s tourism.

Three ships have already been withdrawn Carnival has capacity together with 6 thousand 631 passengers and 785 thousand crew members.

Today is AMP admin they will have to give explanations before the plenary session Assembly, precisely because of the controversial contracts concluded in his administration, specifically those related to Pablo Torres, one of his personal friends. Torres, also the deputy’s nephew official Ricardo Torres, you have already been examined for other direct contracts and rents you have received Araúz at the head of AMP.

AMP scandals are constant. The main union in the sector, Chamber of Commerce of Panamahe requested last Friday from AMP explanation of the departure of the Norwegian cruise, citing as a possible cause the issue of mandatory refueling nunsomething qualified as a monopoly.

In December last year, 23 cruise lines warned that the imposition of AMP, which forces their ships to be fueled by a single company, would affect their business and predicted their withdrawal.

MPA approved a resolution last year requiring cruise ships calling in Panama to only take on fuel with the company nun associated with businessman Pablo Torres.
MPA Despite questioning by companies, unions, lawyers and experts, she has not given any explanation.