Hiring of Panamanian seafarers grows by 11%

The hiring of Panamanian seafarers has increased by 11% in 2025, with 593 employment contracts signed between January and September, thanks to the efforts of the Labour Affairs Department of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP).

This office, created to strengthen the placement of seafarers on national and international vessels, facilitates around 70 new job opportunities in the maritime sector each year, reaffirming Panama as a provider of qualified talent for the industry.

During the eighteenth meeting of the Committee, the Director General of Seafarers, Felipe Arias, emphasised that these figures reflect the outcome of policies that streamline personnel search processes and promote the recruitment and placement of officers, cadets and crew members, in compliance with national and international standards governing the maritime labour market.

The meeting highlighted progress such as the review of the Maritime High School curriculum, carried out by the Ministry of Education (MEDUCA), with the aim of aligning academic training with the current needs of shipping companies; the identification of employment trends and areas of greater demand to facilitate the insertion of graduates; and the implementation of free English-level tests, coordinated with the National Institute for Vocational Training and Skills Development (INADEH), a key requirement for applicants to enrol with foreign companies.

The Crewing Committee, created in 2019, brings together representatives from the public, private, academic and seafaring sectors, including:
– Government sector: AMP, Ministry of Labour and Workforce Development, MEDUCA, INADEH and the Panama Canal Authority.
– Employer sector: Panama Maritime Chamber.
– Academia: Council of Rectors of Panama, International Maritime University of Panama, Columbus University and the Specialised Higher Technical Institute.
– Seafarers: Panamanian Association of Merchant Marine Officers.

As an example of the opportunities arising from this work, the Colombian shipping company NAVESCO S.A., a leader in international general cargo transport, reported that it currently employs more than 40 Panamanian crew members, several of whom have served for over seven years and risen from cadets to captains. All the company’s vessels sail under the Panamanian flag, strengthening ties of cooperation and reinforcing the prestige of the country’s ship registry.

With these results, the AMP reaffirms its commitment to continue promoting partnerships with national and international companies to increase job opportunities for Panamanian seafarers.