LatinNews Daily - 14 July 2026

*China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian has responded to renewed complaints that China was punishing Panamanian-flagged vessels for political reasons, saying “China lawfully and responsibly conducts port state control inspections as required by international regulations on visiting vessels. This is fully consistent with international conventions.” The complaints were reportedly made by US and Panamanian representatives at the 137th session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, which took place from 6-10 July. They follow earlier complaints that the number of Panama-flagged vessels detained by China has significantly increased since a January 2026 ruling by Panama’s supreme court (CSJ) struck down a concession for two ports on the Panama Canal that had been awarded to Panama Ports Company (PPC), a subsidiary of Hong Kong-headquartered CK Hutchison Holdings, which has strained China-Panama relations. At a daily press briefing yesterday Lin cited statistics from Chinese authorities showing that “since the beginning of this year, Panamanian-flagged vessels have registered multiple casualties meeting or exceeding the statutory accident classification threshold in Chinese waters, more frequently than vessels of any other flag state”. He claimed that while Panamanian-flagged vessels made up less than 20% of all foreign vessels calling at Chinese ports since January, they have caused around 50% of “the accidents and consequent deaths and missing persons”. He added that “port state control inspections, as an important measure to ensure maritime safety and prevent marine pollution, are port states’ principal regulatory instrument for the safety supervision of foreign-flagged vessels”.

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