For those interested in registering your non-commercial vessel (information regarding commercial vessels is not included below) in Panama the process is rather simple and straight forward. If you plan to visit Panama by boat for a limited time only, you must first obtain the the proper form from the Panama Maritime Authority ( 507-232-5396 ). This form is a one page form, both sides, and asks for all the particulars of the ship and it's owner. On the form are the charges associated with completing the form and obtaining the required permits in order to legally navigate in Panamanian waters.

For those who wish to permanently reside in Panama, or leave there vessel in Panama for an extended period of time, the same form mentioned above must also be completed. However, prior to completing this form, one must pay the import taxes associated with registering your boat as a Panamanian vessel. Those taxes are determined by the customs officials and can not be estimated. Once the taxes have been paid, the form can then be completed, and all costs that result from completing the form and obtaining the necessary permits must also be paid.

Panama's Vessel registration system is the best in the world.
The total of ships registered is: 4,860 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
122,543,755 GRT/184,910,607 DWT

ships by type: barge carrier 5, bulk 1,443, cargo 846, chemical tanker 376, combination bulk 72, combination ore/oil 17, container 588, liquefied gas 207, livestock carrier 6, multi-functional large-load carrier 12, passenger 38, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 537, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 287, roll on/roll off 107, short-sea passenger 41, specialized tanker 33, vehicle carrier 240

note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience.