Panama Maritime Authority authorises DBS to classify its ships

The Panama Maritime Authority has authorised Cyprus-based Dromon Bureau of Shipping (DBS) as a classification society, recognised organisation (RO) and recognised security organisation (RSO) to conduct class and statutory certification services on its behalf.

The authorisation is expected to help both DBS and Panama Maritime Authority to improve the quality of the fleet registered under the Panama flag administration.

DBS managing director Andreas Nicolaou said: “All of us at Dromon are delighted that this recognition coincides with the 100th year anniversary of the Panama Ship Registry.

“This recognition constitutes a milestone for further development of our organisation.

“All duties and responsibilities of this recognition will be undertaken with the utmost diligence and professionalism.”

The latest authorisation follows the approval received by DBS last year from the Liberia Registry for the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) data collection system, as well as an accreditation from the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) for the EU Monitoring, Reporting, Verification (MRV) regulation.

It also follows the successful connection of DBS’ ERETES online platform, which is designed to offer the Equasis information system and other solutions to shipowners, managers, operators and flag administrations.

DBS is primarily engaged in evaluating the design and construction of ships and other marine-related structures.

The ship classification society also maintains a quality management system, which is assessed and registered against ISO 9000, ISO/IEC 17020, ISO 14065 and OHSAS 18001 standards.