Refer to our earlier two posts on the STS notification requirement and revision of the STS Manual:
1. **Panama Flag Tightens STS Requirement to Stop Dark Fleet Tankers**
2. **Panama Flag Vessel’s STS Plan Immediate Revision Required**
The revised circular incorporates the above requirements and is summarized below:
1. This Merchant Marine Circular applies to Panamanian oil tankers of 150 GRT and above.
2. The requirement for an STS Operation Plan does not apply to:
a. Vessels engaged in fishing-related activities.
b. Bunkering operations.
c. STS operations within the territorial sea or exclusive economic zone of Panama, which must follow the provisions of Resolution J.D. No. 038-2022 of August 25, 2022.
d. Oil transfer operations associated with fixed or floating platforms, including drilling rigs.
e. FPSOs used for offshore oil production and storage, and FSUs used for offshore storage of produced oil.
f. STS operations necessary for securing ship safety, saving lives at sea, or combating pollution incidents to minimize environmental damage.
g. STS operations where either ship involved is a warship, naval auxiliary, or other state-owned/operated vessel used exclusively for non-commercial government service.
h. Fishing vessels.
3. All ship operator companies of Panamanian-flagged oil tankers of 150 GT and above must update their STS Operations Plan to include notification to the Flag State regarding the timing and location of STS operations and obtain approval from the Recognized Organization (RO).
4. The STS Operations Plan must be revised by the authorized Recognized Organization (RO) no later than the first annual, intermediate, or renewal survey of the International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPP), whichever occurs first after August 6, 2025.
5. Starting August 6, 2025, all Panamanian-flagged oil tankers acting as discharging and/or receiving vessels must notify their STS transfer operations to the Flag State via the E-Segumar Platform.
6. All Panamanian-flagged oil tankers must maintain a valid and updated Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR) and Conformance Test Report (CTR) on board when notifying STS operations. Failure to comply will result in denied authorization for STS operations until compliance is demonstrated.
7. The STS transfer notification must be submitted at least 48 hours before the planned operation. The Flag State will issue an acknowledgment via the E-Segumar Platform, which must be kept on board in electronic format for at least three (3) years.
8. The STS transfer notification must include:
a. Name, flag, call sign, IMO number, and estimated arrival time of the oil tankers involved.
b. Date, time, and geographical position of the planned STS operation.
c. Mode of operation: at anchor or underway.
d. Type and quantity of oil.
e. Expected duration of the operation.
f. Identification and contact details (email, phone number) of the Designated Person Ashore (DPA) for each tanker.
g. Confirmation that the tanker has an STS Operations Plan compliant with MARPOL Annex I, Regulation 41.
9. If the estimated arrival time changes by more than six hours or the STS operation is canceled, the Master, Owner, or DPA must immediately inform the Administration via email: **stspma@amp.gob.pa**.
