1. The Panama Maritime Administration strongly encourages all Panama Flagged vessels to avoid transit on Ukrainian and Russian waters in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov.

2. Due to the current situation in the areas of the Black Sea, Sea of Azov and its surroundings, the Panama Maritime Administration requires all Panama registered vessels to raise the level of security according to the ship’s Security Plan and to take extreme measures of safety and security for both the ship and its crew.

3. For those Panamanian vessels in Ukrainian Ports or transiting the above zone must maintain the utmost vigilance and increased security conditions aboard in order to protect the vessel and crew.

4. Port operations in the ports of Ukraine remain closed, as expressed in international media, for which the Panama registered vessels that are in these ports and their crews must remain in port until the Ukrainian authorities grant permission for departure or disembarkment of the crew. During their stay in port, they must implement all security measures equivalent to Security Level III, as required in their Ship Security Plan in accordance with the ISPS Code. Currently, ships are not allowed to enter or leave the ports.

5. It is reaffirmed to avoid any transit or operation within the Black Sea, Sea of Azov and its surroundings.

6. For safety, the automatic identification system (AIS) and the LRIT must be turned on at all times, except in those cases where the captain considers that the security of the vessel could be compromised or when a security incident is imminent. In accordance with the provisions of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), in the same way, VHF Channel 16 must be monitored and communication must be maintained at all times with local authorities and with the Panama Maritime Administration..

7. In those cases that the Captains / S.S.O. and the companies decide and consider the switch off of the aforementioned equipment, they must notify and report the status of the ship and its crew every 4 hours via email to [email protected] and [email protected]

8. Due to the recent events the Panama Maritime Administration strongly encourage to follow the recommendations listed below and, on the document issued by members of the maritime industry and stake holders, including the information posted in https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/risk-of-collateral- damage-in-northwest-black-sea-mine-warning-areas?hsLang=en

◦ Undertake a new ship- and voyage-specific threat risk assessment before entering any region where there has been an incident, or the threat has changed. ◦ After the risk assessment, review the Ship’s Security Plan. ◦ Review section 2 of BMP5, which outlines non-piracy threats and the Global Counter-Piracy Guidance. ◦ Maintain a full and vigilant bridge watches. ◦ Maintain a strict communication watch and establish communication with all vessels coming close. ◦ Ensure strict boarding controls in place. ◦ Only lower accommodation gangways or ladders when necessary. ◦ Rig outboard lighting where possible provided when they do not interfere with keeping a safe lookout, particularly over the stern and rig/use searchlights if available. ◦ Monitoring Channel 16 t VHF and other communication channels. ◦ Check all fire-fighting equipment available for immediate use. Make sure the emergency fire pump is available if any maintenance is being undertaken.

◦ Keep the Automatic Information System (AIS) and LRIT working properly, in order to be able to continuously send positions of the vessels. . 9. The boarding of security companies that provide armed personnel on board Panama registered vessels in Ukrainian and Russian waters is prohibited.

10. In the event of any incident or suspicious activity, they must be notifying as soon as possible to

Phone: (500) 501-5037 / 5085 E-mail: [email protected] , [email protected] Source: Panama Maritime Authority