During a recent visit to the Panama Maritime Authority, senior executives from the Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced plans to facilitate 15 new job opportunities in the second semester of 2023. Additionally, they anticipate hiring 10 new cadets in 2024, aiming to benefit Panamanian seafarers for service on ships flying the Panamanian flag or vessels from other registries.

These opportunities arise from the Bilateral Cooperation Agreement signed last year between the PMA, represented by the Panamanian Embassy in Japan, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation, and Tourism of Japan (MLIT). The agreement focuses on mutual recognition in training and certification according to Standard I/10 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW Convention ’78).

Coordination efforts have allowed Panamanian officers to begin the process of obtaining their Japanese license, resulting in two approved officers and three approved cadets. Notably, one cadet is already serving on a Japanese-flagged vessel. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) plans to hire around 10 cadets from both maritime universities in Panama in 2024, showcasing their confidence in the Panama Shipping Registry and the training of new seafarers. This initiative aims to enhance the image of Panama, strengthen the skills of its seafarers, and reinforce the friendship and commercial ties between the two nations.