The Panama Maritime Authority has modified the Merchant Marine Circular MMC-331 related to technical documentation for Seafarers.
The Panama Maritime Authority has modified the Merchant Marine Circular MMC-331 related to technical documentation for Seafarers.
Effective from April 1, 2026, Certificates of Competency and Endorsement of Certificates of Competency will be issued in electronic form and will no longer be issued in security paper forms for these specific cases.
For reference, the following forms of certificates and technical documentation are approved in electronic form:
- Certificate of license
- Certificate of endorsement
- Certificate of Proficiency
- Endorsements of Certificate of Proficiency
- Course endorsement
- Certificate of Competency
- Endorsement of Certificate of Competency
MMC-331 Annexes contain original formats of certificates and technical documentation approved by the PMA. Seamans Book will continue to issue in security paper form.
Original forms of certificates and technical documentation for seafarers issued in security paper forms up to 31 March 2026 will remain valid until its expiration date.
Validity of certificates and technical documentation can be verified by the use of the QR Code or verification module in the PMA Website.
Attached MMC-331
Source PMA
Official Document
📄 MMC-331-DGGM Original forms of certificates for seafarers (Mar 2026)
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