Collisions and accidents involving ships in Panama

Panama is a signatory to the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGS) through Law 7 of 1973 and the 1974 amendment through Law 15 of 1975. These rules were incorporated into domestic law by Law 55 of 2008.

Panama resolves collision claims in rem or in personam, regardless of where the accident occurred or the domicile of the defendants.

Our practice has handled multiple collision cases before the Courts of Panama, including:

Pesquera Jadran Owner of M/N MEDJUGORGE vs M/N MARIELLA BOTTIGLIERI (Rule 13 of COLREGS – Overtaking).

Tuna Atlántica C.A. vs Fosapatun C.A. and Atunfal C.A. Owner of M/N CURIMAGUA, a collision case within Panamanian territorial waters, where the amount of insurance compensation was included in the value of the vessel.