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🇵🇦 Panama · specialised court

Maritime Courts of Panama

Tribunales Marítimos de Panamá

Reviewed· 2026-08-02Panama City

Specialised courts for shipping claims, reflecting Panama's position as the world's largest ship registry. They apply a distinct maritime procedure, can arrest vessels calling at Panamanian ports, and hear collision, salvage, cargo and crew-wage claims.

How the court is constituted

Tier
specialised
Court type
Maritime court
Jurisdiction
National, with worldwide in rem reach over vessels
Seat
Panama City
Established
1982
Composition
Two first-instance maritime courts.
Languages
Spanish, English

Where an appeal goes next

Appeal to the Supreme Court's Maritime Chamber.

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