OWB. Registered in Panama does not = owned by Panama. (I suspect that any vessels of the Panamanian National Maritime Service do not normally or extraordinarily operate in the Mediterranean Ocean or the Suez canal.) Using something like this as leverage in an international "Discussion" would be extremely unlikely and would not provide much leverage in any case.
USS Harry S. Truman Collides with Merchant Vessel in Mediterranean Sea
"Based on AIS data, Besiktas-M had just transited the Suez Canal and was bound for the Black Sea port of Constanta, Romania. Besiktas-M, a bulk carrier, is more than 550 feet long with a deadweight of 53,000 tons. It’s unclear who owns and manages the ship."
There is a picture of the ship at the link and additional information. Both appear to have been transiting the Suez canal in opposite directions. Besiktas-M had another collision with a ship in India a number of years ago.
If Panamanian registered, then somewhere in Panama...maybe one of these office buildings in the distance.... There may be a small office of a shipping firm with a file cabinet and the ownership papers for M/V Besiktas-M.
Yeah, I understand the “not owned” by Panama part.
Registering ships in Panama tho, has been a scam going back forever. You’d think Panama was some sort of Merchant fleet powerhouse by the number of ships carrying that registration. It’s been a tax dodge forever. And if it’s not clear who actually owns the Basiktas all the more reason to come down on Panama to make those records plain as day.
And if they’re going to register ships with dumbass crews willing to waddle around and otherwise get in the way of our super carriers there needs to be some “pay up” time. Wouldn’t you think that a country accepting a registration for a bigaxx ship would have some standards related to the skill set of the operators. And, oh yeah, liability insurance?
Any body, besides Mumbles, paying for that Boston bridge damage yet?