(prensa.com) Panama is one of the world’s largest shipping registries, with more than 8,849 vessels flagged in the country, but it has never had an up-to-date inspection system.That will change in the next three months as the government plans to implement a computer system to control the inspections of ships and their crews, called the “pele marine.”
The system, which cost $5.3 million, will allow about 300 supervisors at the international level to verify that ships are in optimal conditions for transit. Reports on these vessels will be released immediately on a network that will also include photos of the ship and details of its routes.
Currently, the Maritime Authority of Panama relies on a paper system in which reports often take months to reach Panama.
Marine Authority official Alfonso Castillero said that this small change will make a big difference.
“If we detect irregularities, they can be corrected,” he said, adding it will also streamline the process for shipowners, as there will be fewer problems with paperwork. It will also allow the agency to increase the number of inspections it conducts.
The police department uses a similar system to track outstanding tickets owed by motorists.