Consulate General of Panama 
The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) received the visit of the Secretary General of the Mission to Seafarers (MtS) and the Secretary General of the Deutsche Seemannsmission (DSM) Rev. Canon Andrew Wright as well as Rev. Matthias Ristau, respectively, in order to discuss future joint projects to improve the well-being and conditions of seafarers.
The Director of the General Directorate for Seafarers (DGGM) of the AMP, Captain Juan Maltez, was in charge of receiving this important international delegation in his office, in which the DSM port Chaplain, Andrea Meenken, the Chaplain MtS port manager as well as MtS Regional Director for Latin America, Father Ian Hutchinson Cervantes, participated.
Captain Maltez pointed out that the DGGM feels honored for the collaboration, camaraderie, friendship, and mutual commitment shown toward these important international organizations that ensure the well-being and pastoral care of seafarers, reinforced during the most difficult months of the COVID -19 pandemic, the institution's commitment to continue working hand in hand, always offering a comprehensive vision, not only of the physical well-being but also the emotional, psychological and spiritual well-being of seafarers.
At the end of 2019, an Agreement Renewal was carried out, reinforcing the links established between both entities where a support framework is set, through which help is provided, encouraging and promoting the provision of welfare services for seafarers.
In this regard, the request of both organizations was met, to add a Filipino priest to their team in order to provide support to Asian seamen, who represent an important crew on ships that transit through the Canal and ports of Panama, whose interoceanic highway unites more than 140 maritime routes, connecting 1,700 ports and 160 countries.
