Vessel Arrests
Embargos de buques
Under Article 166, vessel arrests assure that proceedings will not be illusory and keep the defendant from transposing, dissipating, encumbering, alienating or impairing properties, to bring within the jurisdiction of the Maritime Courts claims emerging within or outside of the Panamanian territory as a result of acts related to maritime commerce, transport and navigation and to physically arrest property to execute maritime liens.
Arrest applications require filing of a claim, a petition for arrest informing place, date and hour in which arrest can be made effective.
Arrest bonds for claims to establish jurisdiction over defendants or to execute maritime liens are USD 1,000.00. However if the arrest seeks to guarantee the proceedings will not have an illusory effect and keep the defendant from dissipating assets. In this case the arrest bond may amount to 20-30% of the claim sum as a counterbond to arrest.
Arrest maintenance fees start at USD 2,500.00 however the Maritime Court Marshall has discretion to request additional funds depending on the circumstances of the arrested asset.
Comprehensive support, hassle-free management
The Panamanian Maritime Courts operate under a highly specialized jurisdiction, with clear regulations that ensure immediate judicial protection through vessel arrests and related proceedings. At our firm, we provide comprehensive support in navigating these procedures, ensuring that each step — from filing claims and petitions to managing bonds and maintenance fees — is executed with precision and efficiency.
Our team assumes full responsibility for the management of the arrest process, coordinating directly with the Maritime Court Marshall and relevant authorities to avoid unnecessary delays and complications. This includes the preparation of all filings, securing bonds, and addressing counterbond requirements, always anticipating the practical challenges that may arise.
Clients benefit from <strong a seamless, hassle-free experience, where procedural burdens and logistical complexities are handled entirely by our specialists. We act as a single point of contact, guaranteeing that vessel arrests and related maritime claims are conducted under strict compliance with Panamanian maritime law, while safeguarding assets and preserving the enforceability of proceedings.
Efficient Vessel Arrest Management
Panama’s Maritime Courts are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring swift judicial response to arrest petitions. Under Article 166 of the Code of Maritime Procedure, vessel arrests serve as a critical safeguard to preserve assets, prevent dissipation, and secure claims arising from maritime commerce, transport, and navigation.
Our firm provides efficient and strategic management of vessel arrests, overseeing every procedural requirement with accuracy. From drafting and filing claims to coordinating petitions with the Court Marshall, we ensure that arrests are executed without delay and in strict compliance with Panamanian maritime law.
We handle the full scope of arrest-related obligations, including bonds, counterbonds, and maintenance fees, anticipating the Court’s requirements and the practical complexities of each case. By consolidating all aspects under our supervision, clients benefit from a process that is not only effective, but also predictable and secure.
With our guidance, vessel arrests in Panama are conducted with speed, precision, and enforceability, protecting the interests of our clients while safeguarding the integrity of proceedings before the Maritime Courts.
