Seyman, Deborah

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World Maritime University

World Maritime UniversityThe Maritime Commons: Digital Repository of the WorldMaritime UniversityWMU in the News10-27-1989New head of Panama register confident of feestrategy successDeborah SeymanFollow this and additional works at: http://commons.wmu.se/wmu_newsThis News Article is brought to you courtesy of Maritime Commons. Open Access items may be downloaded for non-commercial, fair use academicpurposes. No items may be hosted on another server or web site without express written permission from the World Maritime University. For moreinformation, please contact library@wmu.se.Recommended CitationSeyman, Deborah, "New head of Panama register confident of fee strategy success" (1989). WMU in the News. 381.http://commons.wmu.se/wmu_news/381——J———-,----——-w — —- —- -- x,I -.New head of Panama register confident of fee strategy successSecnaves ‘to’ buildon Torrijos success’“THE continuation of thesuccessful policies developedby Dr Hugo Torrijos over thelast nine years” is the wayMrs Bosquez sees her job ashead of the Panamanian shipregister.Dr Torrijos, the departingdirector general of secnaveswhich administers theregister,and Mrs bosquez aremeeting with shipowners invarious countries to explain thelatest policy developed bysecnaves — a substantial reduction in enrolment fees. -Dr Tomjos said that the reductions were in response to the‘price war’ begun by Liberia lastmonth. He added, however, thatthe $2,500 flat fee was‘practical’ for Liberia, but thatPanama — with a more mixedfleet — needed a more flexibleset of fees.As a result, the fees were setaccording to size from $500 for a2,000 tons gross vessel up to amaximum fee of $6,500 for avessel over 50,000 tons. Previous enrolment fees werecalculated on $1 per net ton.Dr Torrijos said it was notpossible to make a true calculation of what the costs to theregister might be of the reduction in fees because it was notpossible to estimate how muchtonnage might not haveregistered if the fees hadremained high.But if a direct comparisonwith 1988 revenue was made,the reductions would reduce income by $5.2million. Totalrevenue in 1988 amounted to$40m.Dr Torrijos also took pains toexplain that no disruption tovessel registration had — orwould occur — due to theclosure of the New York office.He said, however, that theoffice had come under severepressure in the months prior toits closure.The difficulties experiencedhad contributed to the fall in thenumber of vessels being coveredby the annual inspection programme. A full inspectionprogramme would be reintroduced from November.During their tour Dr Torrijosand Mrs Bosquez will be lookingfor possible locations forSecnaves offices. Dr Torrijossaid it might be the case thatthey choose to set up two smalloffices — one in the Far Eastand one in Europe — rather thanconcentrate operations in oneoverseas location.The Far East is now one ofthe register’s major markets,with the US only accounting forabout 10% and Europe, 20% oftonnage flying the Panamanianflag.He added that despite “confrontation and crisis”, Augustenrolments almost broke theimillion tons record, and overall1989 registrations were abovethose in 1988.As the threat of the USbarring Panamanian-flag vesselsfrom US ports reappears, DrTorrijos seems confident thatthis will not happen. He addedthat such a measure would beprejudicial to the freedom ofmaritime commerce and damageUS trade.Dr Torrijos also said therewere suggestions that the inititalrumour of this boycott hadbegun in Panama — rather thanbeing formulated by the ‘USState Department.Those in the internationalshipping community who havedealt with Dr Torrijos during hisnine years at the helm ofSecnaves are sorry to see himleave.Dr Torrijos has not indicated,what he will dedicate his energies to once he leavesSecnaves, but he said he wouldcontinue to work for his governModestly dismissing thepraise for his paiticular contribution to the Panamanian register,be said the work at Secnaves wasnot a matter of personalities butinvolved team work.Mrs Bosquez is not a newcomer to the ship registrationbusiness but has been part of thisteam working in association withSecnaves for the last five years.For the last year, after gaininga master’s degree at the WorldMaritime University, Malnrö,she has been the principaltechnical counterpart for Panamaon the Panama maritime sectorproject sponsored by the International Maritime Organisationand the United Nations Developm Programme.The project is designed tohelp Panama get more out of itsmaritime sector given thestrategic importance of the canaland of the ship register.Mrs Bosquez sees the projectas particularly important for hercountry in reaching the challengeof the year 2000 when fullsovereignty of the canal ispassed to Panama.She also told Uoyd’s List thatshe feels the new president ofPanama, Francisco Rodriguez —who was appointed on Sept 1when the former president’s termof office came to an end— willgive substantial support to themaritime sector.Mrs Bosquez said she waslooking forward to meeting theregister’s clientele during thetour with Dr Torrijos. She addedthat she hopes they will be ableto not only “maintain theregister’s competitivity but alsoattract new clients” on the basisof the new set of fees.Dr Hugo Torrijos, who has spent nine ‘earsat the helm of the Panamanian ship registersteering it through a difficult period, has resigned to be succeeded by Olga Bosquez Paveda. DEBORAH SEYMAN looks at thechallenges she facesott,ident78,000buildingsNKK iniken byar from175,000 aby Con-he same$950,000business,1 Berry41 Bidaportedlyrs fromORTcatillunrates areerision tofixturee Persianrequiredy Japans should250,000prices:r gallon,- 29.00ertonne;nts perall-timer largeh Exxon2 for ayage rate.7millionred itself1993 byoreal.ov.r thepread too Myhreted fixedrently on)00 peraroundMrs Olga Bosquez Paveda , Dr Hugo TomjosThe Federation of AmericanControlled Shipping, the grouping of US shipowners which hastonnage under foreign flags, toldlloyd’s List that he has been a- good friend over the years.Minister praises

New head of Panama register confident of fee strategy success

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New head of Panama register confident of fee strategy success

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