Morgan & Morgan abandera el buque portacontenedores más grande del mundo
Panamá, 27 de abril de 2020.
El pasado 23 de abril, mediante una ceremonia presidida por el presidente surcoreano Moon Jae-In, entre otras altas autoridades surcoreanas, se hizo oficial el lanzamiento del buque “HMM ALGECIRAS” – el buque portacontenedores más grande del mundo.
El nuevo buque está registrado con bandera de la República de Panamá y nos complace compartir que el equipo de Registro y Financiamiento Marítimo de Morgan & Morgan participó como asesor legal local en el financiamiento por una suma total de más de US$1,750 millones para la adquisición por la naviera HMM Co., Ltd. (antes Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., Ltd.) de dicho buque y otros once (11) porta contenedores de las mismas dimensiones. Morgan & Morgan es también el responsable del abanderamiento y representación ante la Autoridad Marítima de Panamá como Agente Residente de estos buques.
“Es una gran distinción para Panamá haber sido seleccionado como país de registro de estos doce (12) mega portacontenedores con capacidad de 23,000 TEUs y más. Como firma de abogados, nos sentimos muy orgullosos de haber sido los asesores legales panameños en esta operación que marca ya un hito en la historia de la Marina Mercante de nuestro país”, comentó la Dra. Jazmina Rovi, socia de Morgan & Morgan y encargada de la práctica de Financiamiento y Registro de Naves.
El buque HMM ALGECIRAS se une ahora a la flota de 18 buques con bandera panameña, de entre los 24 más grandes del mundo (según IHS Markit), y será empleado para conectar la ruta comercial entre Asia y el norte de Europa.
- Publicado en Jazmina Rovi, Publicaciones, Ship Finance and Registration
Market Intelligence Panama: Shipping 2019
Morgan & Morgan destaca en Market Intelligence-Shipping 2019
Panamá, 29 de octubre de 2019. Jazmina Rovi y Francisco Linares, socios de Morgan & Morgan, contribuyeron con el capítulo de Panamá de Getting the Deal Through: Market Intelligence-Shipping 2019, publicación que hace un completo análisis sobre la evolución y el escenario regulatorio de la industria marítima a nivel global.
Para leer el artículo de Panamá hacer clic en el siguiente enlace:
- Publicado en 2019, Francisco Arias, Jazmina Rovi, Publicaciones, Ship Finance and Registration
Socios de Morgan & Morgan participan como expositores en seminario de Arbitraje Marítimo
En días pasados, se llevó a cabo el seminario “El Arbitraje Marítimo en Panamá CECOMAP, La Nueva Alternativa”, evento organizado por el Centro de Conciliación, Mediación y Arbitraje Marítimo de Panamá (“Cecomap”) y la Comisión de Arbitraje Marítimo de China (“CMAC”), con la colaboración de la Cámara de Comercio, Industrias y Agricultura de Panamá.
En la actividad se desarrollaron temas de importancia para el sector marítimo panameño e internacional, y en el mismo destacaron las exposiciones del Dr. Francisco Linares y el Dr. Juan David Morgan, Jr., socios de la Unidad de Servicios Marítimos de Morgan & Morgan.
El evento también sirvió como marco para la firma del convenio de mutua colaboración para el arbitraje marítimo entre la República de Panamá y la República Popular de China. Mediante el mismo se promueve el uso del arbitraje y la mediación en los contratos marítimos y servicios de intercambio entre ambos países.
- Publicado en 2019, Francisco Linares, Juan David Morgan Jr, news, Press Room, Ship Finance and Registration
Quince abogados de Morgan & Morgan reconocidos en Who’s Who Legal 2017
Quince profesionales de Morgan & Morgan, de diversos grupos de práctica de la firma, han sido reconocidos por su trabajo, en la segunda edición de Who’s Who Legal Central America 2017. La guía es una lista completa de los principales profesionales y bufetes de abogados que recoge 13 áreas del derecho en la región.
Con más de 80 abogados y 20 áreas de práctica, Morgan & Morgan es un bufete de abogados panameño con un oferta completa de servicios legales, que asiste regularmente a corporaciones locales y extranjeras de diferentes industrias, así como reconocidas instituciones financieras y gubernamentales.
“Estas distinciones son muy importantes para nosotros porque demuestran que nuestros clientes y colegas reconocen nuestra amplia experiencia en muchas áreas del Derecho y el compromiso de nuestro equipo de asesorar a nuestros clientes en sus necesidades legales mientras hacen negocios en Panamá”, dijo Romulo Roux, socio y Director de la Unidad de Servicios Legales de la firma.
Abogados reconocidos en esta edición:
Competencia
Carlos Ernesto González Ramírez, Socio
María Eugenia Brenes, Asociada
Corporativo
Ana Carolina Castillo, Asociada
Carlos Ernesto González Ramírez, Socio
Eduardo Ferrer, Socio
Francisco Arias, Socio
Inocencio Galindo, Socio
Resolución de Conflictos
José Carrizo, Socio
Simón Tejeira Q., Socio
Financiamientos
Francisco Arias, Socio
Inocencio Galindo, Socio
Ramon Varela, Socio
Intellectual Property
Enrique Jimenez, Socio
Recursos Naturales
Inocencio Galindo, Socio
Planificación Patrimonial
Luis Manzanares, Socio
Marítimo
Enrique De Alba, Socio
Francisco Linares, Socio
Jazmina Rovi, Socio
Juan David Morgan Jr., Socio
- Publicado en Carlos Ernesto Gonzalez, Defensa a la Competencia y Protección al Consumidor, Eduardo Ferrer, Estate Planning, Francisco Linares, Inocencio Galindo, Intellectual Property, Jazmina Rovi, Juan David Morgan, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Luis Manzanares, Maria Brenes, news, Registro y Financiamiento de Naves, Ship Finance and Registration, Simon Tejeira
The first transit
By Enrique de Alba Arango, Partner of Morgan & Morgan Law Firm
On June 27 of the present year, a historic event for the Canal and the International Merchant Marine Registry of the Republic of Panama occurs.
One day after the new locks of the Panama Canal were inaugurated with the transit of the container vessel “Cosco Shipping Panama, the first vessel registered under the Panamanian flag transits, which coincides with being the first transit of a liquid petroleum gas vessel named “Lycaste Peace” in its commercial traffic from Houston, Texas to the Port of Hitachi, Japan, owned by the Japanese shipping Line Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line) and represented in Japan by Mitsubishi Logistics Corporation. The Resident Agent of this first transit of the vessel registered in Panama is Morgan & Morgan Law Firm.
Since the inauguration of the Expanded Panama Canal, the vessel that has paid the highest toll so far and also set a new record due to the Expanded Canal was the vessel “Mol Beyond” which paid the sum of $837,203.00.
Several precedents are well marked on the Panama Canal and its International Merchant Marine Registry, whose origin is given with the enactment of Law 63 of December 15, 1917 which amends and supplements the Fiscal Code, giving the power to grant the national flag to a vessel that so requests it and which will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year 2017. It is understood according to records that the first vessel registered under the national flag was the carrier Belén Quezada.
By Law 8 of January 12, 1925, procedures for the nationalization of merchant vessels are created and this law formally establishes the Merchant Marine Registry of the Republic of Panama.
Nowadays, the Maritime Registry of Panama is proud and honored to be the world’s largest register with approximately 8,831 registered vessels to June 14 of this year representing 235,295,719.26 gross tons. The registration of vessel and other activities under the umbrella of the Panama Maritime Authority, as of December 2015 contributed to the treasury the sum of $162,089,501.00.
Among the legal instruments that have brought success to the merchant marine of the Republic of Panama, we can mention in addition to those already mentioned:
- Law 2 of January 17, 1980, which creates the Directorate General of Consular and Maritime Affairs.
- Law 14 of May 27, 1980, whereby the preliminary registration of ownership titles and mortgages through proprietary merchant marine consulates and directly with the Public Registry of the Republic of Panama is regulated.
- Decree-Law 7 of February 10, 1998 creating the Panama Maritime Authority, grouping into a single entity all activities related to the maritime sector.
Subsequently, from 2008 it was decided to update all our legislation related to the maritime activity and four new legal instruments are enacted:
- Law 57 of August 8, 2008, whereby the Directorate General of Merchant Marine is created (grouping into a single law, everything related to this activity);
- Law 55 of August 8, 2008, which replace the Book II of the Commercial Code of the Republic of Panama to create the Maritime Trade Act, as amended by Law No.27 of 28 October 2014;
- Law 12 of January 23, 2009 amending Law 8 of March 30, 1982 and Law 11 of May 23, 1986, which in turn was amended by Law 58 of October 6, 2010 and Law 16 of March 21, 2013, whereby standard maritime procedures are enacted,
- And Law 56 of August 6, 2008, whereby the General Ports Act and its regulations is created.
I mention these legal instruments, because without them, the development of our merchant marine, international forum of maritime litigation and port activity would had been set aside by the competition provided by countries that develop these same type of activities associated with the maritime industry.
The momentum that our lawyers have given to the development of maritime activity in the Republic of Panama to the challenges of trade, should never stop because the success of Panama in this important industry is due to the constant renewal of its legal instruments, seeking new and better ways for the development of the maritime sector.
The foregoing leads us to mention an important bill that is planned to be submitted to the National Assembly this month of July on maritime financing. This bill creates a special legal regime for financing operations of the local and international maritime industry, where tax, labor and immigration incentives are granted to companies that carry out these operations from Panama.
The entities that could benefit from these incentives are the general license, international or representative banks duly authorized by the Superintendence of Banks, companies carrying out operations to design, structure and develop the financial conditions of maritime credit and its guarantees, regulated financial companies and maritime financing entities and joint ventures (Joint Venture) of the Panamanian State with individuals.
Among the tax incentives will be the exemption from paying income tax from such funding for the construction and purchase of vessels. In order to benefit from this tax incentive, these entities must establish a separate accounting which states the recording of the date of execution of each loan.
Those companies whose maritime financing operations are carried out in the Republic of Panama or shipyards engaged in the construction and repair of commercial vessels, yachts and others will not cause the payment of income tax.
There are also exempted from paying income tax, interest and fees earned by banks for maritime financing activities that are duly accredited for such activities, as well as income from insurance and reinsurance that secure credits from certified maritime financing institutions and/or Bankable Maritime Projects.
The bill in question establishes a low import tax on machinery and equipment needed for the development of the maritime industry, no greater than 3%.
As for immigration and special labor regime, it is aimed to create the necessary conditions to help develop the relevant maritime activities with the maximum efficiency required by a maritime center of this nature.
A Certifier and Supervisory Board of Maritime Financing Entities is created, which would consist of the following members:
- A member appointed by the Panama Maritime Authority.
- A member appointed by the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
- A member appointed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- A member appointed by the Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development.
- A member appointed by the National Immigration Service.
- A member appointed by the Council of Financial Regulations.
- A member appointed by the Panama Canal Authority.
Before I conclude and the reason for this article is partly to draw attention to a provision that has been introduced at the last minute to the maritime financing bill mentioned herein, where it is imposed a term of 20 years to the tax exemptions, incentives and other benefits that this new project aims to create in the Republic of Panama.
It is advisable to study this condition or term carefully, because such a sophisticated and specialized activity as the maritime financing activity, should not be set a peremptory period, given than this period would undermine completely the intention to create a new activity that could pay off to the economy of the Republic of Panama, which in other international financial centers produce optimal results.
Let us hope that all the good spirit that every Panamanian has had in recent days with the opening of the newly expanded locks of the Panama Canal and its role as a facilitator of international maritime trade, help to understand how important it is to maintain our competitiveness in this important industry.
It is a true and lawful translation into English of the original document written in Spanish – Michelle Williams – Authorized Public Translator – Resolution No. 5775 of November 12, 2014 – Republic of Panama.
- Publicado en 2016, Enrique De Alba, Press Room, Publications, Ship Finance and Registration
Pride and history for Morgan & Morgan
On Monday June 27, 2016 the Lycaste Peace, a liquefied gas carrying ship from the Japanese company NYK Line, became the first vessel with a Panamanian flag to transit the Canal expansion after its inauguration.
NYK Line is one of the largest transportation companies in the world, part of the Mitsubishi consortium, one of our firm’s most reputable clients.
Some of Morgan & Morgan’s partners were present at the Cocolí locks to witness this ship’s historical journey that not only fills us with pride but also lets us become a part of this new chapter in the history of the Panama Canal.
- Publicado en News, Ship Finance and Registration
Morgan & Morgan advised Tri Marine International in the constitution of Maritime Mortgage for an amount of up to US$4,800,000.00
Morgan & Morgan and García & Bodán Honduras, worked together to constitute a Maritime Mortgage in favor of their client Tri Marine International for an amount of US$4,800,000,00, which supported various fishing contracts signed between Tri Marine and its providers worldwide, to provide funding.
Tri Marine is an important tuna provider (yellowfin, between others), the company operations include a refrigerated fleet of fishing vessels that operates in the Pacific, together with other affiliated and hired vessels. It also operates more than a dozen of processing plants around the world. In this sense, both law firms provided legal services in order to prepare and formalize a mortgage over a vessel with Honduran flag. The ship responds for the obligations generated as the result of the line of credit that was granted by Tri Marine so that the foreign society, owner of the vessel, could continue its operations under international regulations, as well as the parameters established by the Tri Marine, who subsequently sells its product.
The transaction which involves companies from different nationalities that respond both through their vessels registered in Honduras as well as in other jurisdictions, as well as solidary guarantors of different nationalities.
In the transaction participated Vanessa Oquelí from García & Bodán Honduras, and Gianela Rivas from Morgan & Morgan Panama, both with extensive experience in maritime issues.
Morgan & Morgan y García & Bodán Honduras, trabajaron en conjunto a fin de constituir una Hipoteca Marítima a favor de su cliente Tri Marine International por un valor de US$4,800,000.00 la cual respaldaba diversos contratos de pesca firmados entre Tri Marine y sus proveedores a nivel internacional a quienes brindan financiamiento.
Tri Marine es un importante proveedor de atún (aleta amarilla entre otros), sus operaciones incluyen una flota de buques pesqueros refrigerados que navegan por el Pacífico, así como los barcos de pesca contratados y afiliados. También opera más de media docena de plantas de procesamiento alrededor del mundo. En este sentido, ambas firmas prestaron sus servicios jurídicos con el fin de preparar y formalizar hipoteca sobre una embarcación con bandera hondureña. El buque responde a la línea de crédito que le fue concedida por Tri Marine para que la sociedad extranjera propietaria de la embarcación pueda proseguir con su operación de captura de atún bajo las regulaciones internacionales, así como los parámetros establecidos por el Tri Marine a quien posteriormente vende su producto.
La transacción se vuelve compleja al involucrar sociedades de distintas nacionalidades que responden tanto a través de sus embarcaciones registradas en Honduras, así como fiadoras solidarias de distintas nacionalidades.
En la transacción estuvieron involucradas las abogadas Vanessa Oquelí de García & Bodán Honduras; y Gianela Rivas de Morgan & Morgan Panamá, quienes cuentan con amplia experiencia en tema marítimos.
- Publicado en expertise, Rivas Gianela, Ship Finance and Registration