01
Resident Agent Appointment
We review the vessel and ownership structure, prepare the designation and act as resident agent once the appointment and applicable requirements are in place.
Díaz, Shacalo & Asociados
Panama Maritime & Shipping Law
Panama Ship Resident Agent & Fleet Legal Services
One Panamanian Legal Partner. Every Vessel in Your Fleet.
Díaz, Shacalo & Asociados provides Panamanian maritime legal assistance to shipowners, vessel operators and fleet managers requiring resident agent representation, Panama flag registration, navigation-document amendments and ongoing registry-related legal support.
Whether you manage one Panama-flagged vessel or an international fleet, our firm can evaluate your requirements and coordinate the applicable legal procedures in Panama.
ShipownersVessel managersFleet operators
01 / Legal services
Maritime Legal Services Beyond Initial Registration
From a new appointment to a coordinated handover, we help you manage the legal and documentary work behind a Panama-flagged fleet.
02
Change of Resident Agent
We prepare the replacement designation, review the vessel’s current registry documents and coordinate the applicable filings with the Merchant Marine Directorate.
03
Ship Registration & Documentation
We assist with Panama flag registration, the applicable Precheck, and amendments to navigation documents or registered vessel particulars.
04
Ongoing Fleet Legal Representation
We coordinate the agreed registry matters across multiple vessels, with one point of contact for the owner or manager in Panama.
02 / For fleet operators
Managing Multiple Panama-Flagged Vessels?
Bring agreed resident-agent and registry matters under one Panamanian legal point of contact. We can review the fleet vessel by vessel, sequence agent changes or document updates and report on the status of the work your team has engaged us to handle.
We define the vessels, filings and reporting arrangements with your team at the start of the engagement.
- One Panamanian contact for your team
- Appointments and changes planned by vessel
- Updates on agreed filings and outstanding documents
03 / Panama legal framework
Why a Panamanian Resident Agent Matters
Article 102 of Law 57 of August 6, 2008 requires owners of vessels registered in Panama’s Merchant Marine to appoint a lawyer or law firm qualified to practise in Panama. The agent can handle registry applications and receive administrative notices within the statutory and agreed scope. Article 107 allows the owner to replace the agent.
For a change of agent, the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) lists the new designation among its requirements for updating navigation documents. Instruments issued abroad require due authentication. We review the vessel’s registry status and any additional requirements before filing.
The AMP decides registry applications. Technical inspections and classification are handled separately by the appropriate authorized entities.
04 / How we work
Our Legal Process
Initial Vessel or Fleet Assessment
We identify the vessels, current flags, registry status and the outcome your team needs.
Legal, KYC and Compliance Review
We confirm who can act for the owner and request the necessary due-diligence information through a secure channel.
Documentation and Registry Filing
We prepare the instruments, coordinate authentication where applicable and file the agreed applications.
Ongoing Legal Representation
When retained, we coordinate the agreed resident-agent and registry matters and keep your designated contact informed.
05 / Your maritime counsel
Meet Your Maritime Counsel
Toby Shacalo
Founding Partner
Toby Shacalo is a Panamanian attorney and founding partner of Díaz, Shacalo & Asociados. His practice covers maritime, corporate and commercial matters. He works with shipowners and their teams on legal and registry matters in Panama.
English · Spanish · Hebrew
06 / Questions from shipowners
Frequently Asked Questions
Who may serve as a vessel resident agent in Panama?
A lawyer or law firm qualified to practise in Panama may serve as a resident agent under Article 102 of Law 57 of 2008.
Can a shipowner change resident agents?
Yes. Article 107 permits the owner to replace the agent. The change is documented and processed through the applicable AMP procedure.
Can one law firm represent an entire fleet?
Yes. DSA can coordinate an engagement covering multiple vessels. We review the owner and designation for each vessel and agree on the work to be covered.
Can a foreign-owned company register a vessel?
Yes. Article 3 of Law 57 permits vessel owners to apply without a special nationality or domicile requirement, subject to the registry’s applicable requirements and review.
What do you need for an initial assessment?
Share the vessel type, flag, fleet size, intended service, desired timing and vessel name or IMO number if available. We request formal documents through a secure channel when needed.
Can you assist with navigation-document amendments?
Yes. We can review and coordinate the applicable filings for changes such as resident agent, vessel service or other registered particulars.
Do you provide ongoing maritime legal services?
Yes. We can agree on continuing representation for resident-agent and registry matters tailored to the vessels and filings your team needs covered.
Are government charges separate from legal fees?
Yes. We identify government charges and applicable third-party expenses separately from our legal fees when setting out the scope of work.
Your Fleet Deserves Reliable Legal Representation in Panama.
Vessel & fleet inquiries
Tell us about your vessel or fleet
Tell us what you need to arrange and when. Our Panama team will review the inquiry and follow up on the next steps.
Please use this form for a brief inquiry. We will arrange a secure channel for identity, banking or other confidential documents.