Hubel Marine once again made headlines, ranking in the top three best-performing ship registration offices for the Belize Ship Registry, known as IMMARBE, out of a total of 34 offices worldwide. This accolade marks yet another impressive achievement for Hubel Marine, known for their commitment to efficiency, meticulous compliance, and client satisfaction.
With an increasing number of vessels seeking registration under Belize’s flag, the managing director Erik de Koning and his team has consistently delivered top-notch service, upholding high standards for speed, accuracy, and reliability. This recognition places them alongside the finest in the industry and reaffirms their reputation as one of the best registration offices globally.
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August 29, 2024 – Erik de Koning, Director of Hubel Marine, recently concluded a productive meeting in Panama with Mr. Luis Roquebert, the newly appointed Administrator and Minister of Maritime Affairs, and Mr. Ramón Franco, the newly appointed Director of the Panama Maritime Authority. The meeting aimed to discuss joint initiatives to strengthen and elevate the Panama Ship Registry, ensuring it regains its leading status for excellence in the global maritime sector.
“I am delighted to have had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Roquebert and Mr. Franco,” stated Erik de Koning. “It’s not about being the largest player in the market, but about the legacy and trust that come with being the world’s first International Ship Registry, established in 1917. Backed by the full support of a sovereign state, we need to prioritize the protection and security of our clients above all else, ensuring their interests are safeguarded by over a century of experience and governmental backing.”
This emphasizes the importance of historical significance, trust, and state-backed security over market dominance.
The Panama Ship Registry, renowned for its global reach and operational efficiency, plays a pivotal role in the international shipping industry. By collaborating with industry leaders such as Hubel Marine, the registry aims to uphold its commitment to quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. The new Administration has embarked on an ambitious journey to further enhance its maritime services and fleet growth and age. This shift marks a significant change in direction for Panama’s maritime sector.
Hubel Marine is a trusted maritime services and consultancy firm with a strong 30-year legacy. Known for their extensive expertise in regulatory compliance, maritime expertise and by embracing the Dutch directness and the no-nonsense, they provide reliable vessel registration and documentation solutions for the maritime industry. The company is committed to supporting the Panama Ship Registry’s goals of continuous improvement and sustained growth in the global maritime market.
Panama, the second largest ship registry, has embarked on an ambitious journey to further enhance its maritime services and fleet growth and age under its new flag administration. This shift marks a significant change in direction for Panama’s maritime sector, aiming to reinforce its position as a global maritime hub.
As a result, 57% of ships registered in 2024 have an average age of four years. These vessels come mainly from the Asian market, a region in which the Panamanian Registry has dominated their strong position for decades through loyal supporters.
Among the strategies to improve the PMA indicators is also the recruitment of new built vessels. The latest figures reveal indicators of 105% in compliance with this goal, meaning that Panama has exceeded its own expectations at the end of the first week of July 2024.
The fleet debugging process is also part of the PMA’s plan to continue positioning itself worldwide. This consists of ensuring that the vessels of the Panama Ship Registry comply with current international regulations, which is why this year more than 5 million gross tonnage has been deleted.
The PMA, through the General Directorate of Merchant Marine, carried out 771 new flag registries this year, which translates into 16.8 million gross tonnages (GT).
The Panama Ship Registry has 8,606 vessels, which represent more than 247.7 million of GT, according to IHS Markit . In addition, Panama accounts for 15% of the world’s tonnage, as seen in the “World Fleet Monitor” report, published at the end of June 2024 by Clarkson Research.
Industry Response: Hubel Marine’s Support
Hubel Marine, a prominent player in the ship registration industry, has welcomed the new direction taken by Panama’s flag administration. Hubel Marine congratulates the administration on its forward-thinking approach and expressed confidence that these changes would benefit the global shipping community.
“Panama’s new fleet growth strategies are a testament to its commitment to maintaining its leadership in the maritime sector. We are particularly pleased with the focus on regulatory enhancements, safety, and sustainability, which align with our values and operational standards,” said Erik de Koning on behalf of Hubel Marine.
Hubel Marine congratulates José Raúl Mulino on his inauguration as 39th President of the Republic of Panama. Mulino won 34 percent of voters and a nine-point lead over his nearest opponent during the May 5 elections in Panama. Mr Mulino is a 65-year-old graduate in maritime law from Tulane University in New Orleans, and previously served as minister of security and minister of foreign affairs. Mr Mulino promised the Panamanian people a return to economic prosperity and high employment.
Mr Mulino will have to manage one of the world’s key trade routes, the Panama Canal, which was forced to limit traffic this year by persistent drought.
He raised eyebrows during his campaign by promising to “close” the Darién Gap, the expanse of jungle on the Panamanian-Colombian border which more than half a million migrants crossed by foot on their way to the United States last year.
Shortly after Mulino’s inauguration, the Panamanian government already released a statement saying that the U.S. government committed to covering the cost of repatriation of migrants who enter Panama illegally through the Darien.
Besides the Canal and the migrants, there is another imperative task: revitalizing the Panama Ship Registry and returning it to its former glory as the world’s largest and most respected registry.
For decades, the Panama Ship Registry had been a symbol of maritime excellence, a beacon that attracted vessels from around the globe. But recent years had seen its reputation tarnished, its position usurped by competitors. The registry had also been relegated to the grey list of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (Paris MoU), a demotion that signalled declining standards in safety and environmental performance. Now with his background in Maritime law, it is President Mulino’s duty to bring Panama back to the top and ensure the registry’s return to the white list of the Paris MoU, signifying its compliance with the highest international standards.
Erik de Koning, the director of Hubel Marine, has been closely collaborating with the Panama Ship Registry for 30 years, representing a significant fleet of ships flying the Panama flag. He has expressed his intention to visit Panama frequently in order to discuss and monitor the new modifications implemented by the Panama Maritime Authority. De Koning recognizes that the new government is well aware of the necessity for changes within the Ship Registry.
Newsflash: Head of Belize Ship Registry Retirement Announcement
Belmopan, Belize – June 21, 2024
With a mix of emotions, we were informed about the retirement of Mrs. Annette Garel, Senior Deputy Registrar, as of June 21, 2024. Mrs. Garel has been an invaluable part of IMMARBE (Belize Registry) for over thirty years. Throughout her remarkable tenure, she has dedicated herself to building and maintaining the registry with unwavering commitment and expertise.
Her leadership and commitment have left an indelible mark on the organization, setting high standards for professionalism and service excellence. Colleagues and industry peers alike commend Mrs. Garel for her invaluable contributions and wish her well in her future endeavors.
Hubel Marine expresses its deepest gratitude to Mrs. Garel for her outstanding service and wishes her a fulfilling retirement.
Athens, Greece – The management staff of Hubel Marine recently attended the Posidonia Shipping Expo, a premier event in the global maritime industry held in Athens. The expo brought together key players from around the world, providing a platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and showcasing the latest innovations in shipping and maritime technology.
During the event, the Hubel Marine team engaged with numerous industry professionals, fostering valuable connections and strengthening relationships with long-standing partners and friends. The expo provided an excellent opportunity for Hubel Marine to discuss industry trends, share insights, and explore new business opportunities.
“The Posidonia Expo in Greece has always been a significant event for us,” said Erik de Koning, director of Hubel Marine. “Meeting with our industry peers and valued friends in such a vibrant setting allows us to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving maritime sector.”
Hubel Marine’s presence at the Posidonia underscores its commitment to maintaining strong industry ties and staying at the forefront of maritime advancements. The company looks forward to leveraging the insights gained and relationships strengthened during the expo to continue driving excellence in their operations.
Our senior specialist Petra Luijpen from the seafarer department is leaving Hubel Marine to enjoy her early retirement after working 21 years for Hubel Marine !!
She is taking an early retirement and we wish her a beautiful, pleasant, relaxing, inspiring, healthy and heartwarming time. And we hope she enjoys the fact that she can redefine each day what to do and do what you love the most. What a glory and beautiful prospect!
We are grateful for her efforts over the past 21 years and wish her all the best.
This year is the Happy Work Anniversary Year with Hubel Marine . Earlier this year, during March, we celebrated the milstone that our Seafarer specialist Petra Luijpen celebrated her 20th anniversary for working with Hubel Marine.
Today our Head of the Accounting department, Aubrey Broekhuizen celebrated the happy event of her 12-1/2 year Anniversary.
Thank you all for the outstanding performance and dedication to the company. Keep up the good work !
The Panama Maritime Authority, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama, have renewed the Agreement on Maritime Transport between the Government of the Republic of Panama and the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
This agreement came into force Juy 20, 2021, at the end of the renewal process between the Panamanian and Chinese authorities. However, in order to avoid interrupting its implementation it was considered that from May 17, 2021 until its entry into force, both parties would continue to benefit from its provisions.
The agreement renewal will be extended to five years, and will strengthen trade relations between the two nations, and Panama Ship Registry‘s commitment to its users entering ports located in the People’s Republic of China. The renewal of this Agreement represents a series of unique advantages for shipowners who have registered their vessels under the Panamanian flag, such as:
·Appropriate measures to facilitate and expedite maritime transport to avoid unnecessary delays; granting favourable treatment in the collection of tonnage fees based on preferential rates.
·Promote maritime and port development; full and efficient use of the maritime fleet to meet foreign trade demand.
·Ensure the safety of navigation and protection of the environment (including the safety of vessels, crews, passengers and cargo).
·Improve the business relationship and exchange of scientific and technological experiences; and exchange information on international maritime organizations and conventions.
·Include the protection of the maritime environment, the development of marine resources, the observation of the sea, forecasting and warning of natural disasters and research, development and training on marine maritime issues.
·Promote the supply of services to Panama-flagged vessels.
·Increase the demand for maritime transport services for export and industrial production.
·Maintain close relations that allow free and unimpeded access of Panama-flagged vessels for cargo traffic to and from China.
The Panama merchant fleet’s vessels will maintain the same uninterrupted port tariffs benefits and preferential treatment in the ports of the People’s Republic of China, reaffirming the status of “Most Favoured Nation”.
This Agreement on Maritime Transport is based on equality, mutual benefit, freedom of navigation and the principle of non-discrimination for Panama-flagged vessels operating in Chinese ports.
Would you like to benefit with your fleet that is calling the Chinese ports ?
Contact Erik A.de Koning or Wouter Sluis of Hubel Marine B.V. in order to discuss the opportunities.
Hubel Marine B.V. 