La Dirección General de Marina Mercante (DGMM) de la Autoridad Marítima de Panamá (AMP) obtuvo la recertificación de su Sistema de Gestión de Calidad bajo la norma ISO 9001:2015, un reconocimiento que respalda la eficacia de sus procesos y fortalece la confianza de armadores, operadores y clientes del registro panameño de naves en el mercado marítimo internacional.
La certificación, otorgada por Bureau Veritas tras un proceso de auditoría externa, confirma que la institución mantiene procedimientos alineados con estándares internacionales de calidad, orientados a la mejora continua, la eficiencia operativa y la satisfacción de las partes interesadas.
Durante el acto de entrega, el director general de Marina Mercante, Ramón Franco, destacó que la recertificación representa mucho más que el cumplimiento de un requisito internacional, al consolidar una cultura institucional enfocada en la excelencia y en la prestación de servicios de clase mundial.
“No solo somos administradores de un registro; brindamos con liderazgo y excelencia un servicio competitivo que supera las expectativas de nuestras partes interesadas”, afirmó Franco, quien agregó que este sistema de gestión fortalece áreas estratégicas como la seguridad de la vida humana en el mar, la protección marítima, la prevención de la contaminación y la eficiencia de los procesos.
Por su parte, José Chong, representante de la empresa certificadora Bureau Veritas explicó que la norma ISO 9001:2015 constituye hoy un estándar fundamental para las organizaciones que participan en la industria marítima, ya que garantiza que sus procesos son evaluados de manera permanente y están sujetos a mecanismos de mejora continua.
“Mostrar esta recertificación es una garantía que Panamá ofrece sobre su compromiso de brindar el mejor servicio en materia de registro”, señaló Chong al destacar que mantener este reconocimiento exige capacitación constante, auditorías internas y externas, así como un compromiso permanente con la calidad.
El vocero añadió que el mayor desafío para cualquier organización no es obtener la certificación, sino conservarla mediante el cumplimiento sostenido de los requisitos de la norma, un aspecto que fortalece la competitividad y genera mayor confianza entre clientes y mercados internacionales.
Con esta recertificación, la Dirección General de Marina Mercante reafirma su compromiso con la mejora continua de sus procesos y con el fortalecimiento del Registro Panameño de Naves, uno de los principales referentes de la industria marítima mundial, respaldando una gestión basada en estándares internacionales de calidad.
In an industry where confidence is built on consistency, transparency, and operational performance, Panama has once again reinforced its position among the world’s leading maritime registries.
The Directorate General of Merchant Marine (DGMM) of the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) has successfully renewed its ISO 9001:2015 certification for its Quality Management System, reaffirming that the world’s largest ship registry continues to operate under internationally recognized standards designed to ensure efficiency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
The recertification, awarded by Bureau Veritas following a comprehensive external audit, validates the effectiveness of the DGMM’s management processes and underscores Panama’s long-term commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality services to shipowners, operators, and stakeholders across the global maritime sector.
At a time when regulatory compliance, digital transformation, and service quality are becoming increasingly decisive factors for fleet operators, maintaining internationally recognized quality standards sends a clear message: Panama remains committed to evolving alongside the needs of an increasingly competitive maritime industry.
For Ramón Franco, Director General of Merchant Marine, the achievement extends well beyond meeting an international benchmark.
“This is more than a certification,” Franco said during the presentation ceremony. “It reflects the culture we have built within the Directorate General of Merchant Marine. We are not simply administrators of a registry, we deliver a competitive, world-class service with leadership and excellence that exceeds the expectations of our stakeholders.”
According to Franco, the Quality Management System has become an essential tool for strengthening key operational areas, including the safety of life at sea, maritime security, pollution prevention, and the continuous optimization of internal processes.
The certification was issued by Bureau Veritas, whose representatives emphasized that ISO 9001:2015 has become a cornerstone for organizations seeking to demonstrate operational excellence in today’s maritime industry.
José Chong, representing the classification and certification body, noted that the standard requires organizations to systematically evaluate their processes, identify opportunities for improvement, and maintain an enduring commitment to quality.
“Displaying this recertification is a guarantee that Panama offers the international maritime community of its commitment to providing the highest standards of service in ship registration,” Chong said.
He also pointed out that earning certification is only the beginning. The greater challenge, he explained, lies in maintaining compliance through ongoing internal and external audits, continuous personnel training, and a sustained commitment to improvement—requirements that ultimately strengthen competitiveness and reinforce trust among international clients.
For Panama, the renewed certification represents another step in preserving the credibility of a registry that plays a pivotal role in global shipping. As maritime regulation, sustainability expectations, and customer demands continue to evolve, internationally recognized quality management systems have become more than administrative tools—they are strategic assets that support resilience, operational excellence, and long-term competitiveness.
By renewing its ISO 9001:2015 certification, the Directorate General of Merchant Marine reaffirms its commitment to continuous improvement while reinforcing the reputation of the Panamanian Ship Registry as one of the world’s most trusted and influential flags, supported by a management framework that meets the highest international standards.
