No mass exodus from Panama registry yet despite China’s inspection storm
- Panama-flag detentions in Chinese ports hit 92 in March — 4.5 times the 2025 monthly average — and remain elevated into April, with no sign of Beijing easing its enforcement drive
- Despite the surge, Lloyd’s List Intelligence data shows no mass reflagging from the Panama Registry, although the pace of departures has begun to quicken since mid-March
- With flag transfers typically taking one to four weeks, the full impact on the Panama Registry may yet to materialise, although many vessels seeking to leave are too old to be accepted by mainstream open registries
Beijing’s port inspection blitz is squeezing Panama-flagged ships harder than ever, but the full impact may yet to unfold
