Former Chief of Panama Registry joins Liberian Flag

Alfonso Castillero has stepped down from the highest position with the Panamanian registry, accepting a Vice Presidential role at the Liberian Registry.

According to an interview with Seatrade Global, Castillero believes that he "did his best for Panama but it was time to join the private sector."

He said, "I continue to believe that Panama needs a complete holistic re-engineering and new approach. It is not something new. I have been saying that for years and even making public comments about it in international media."

Castillero says he will spend his first six months as Vice President of the Liberian Registry traveling to the organization's worldwide offices and "also visiting clients, developing new services, registration of ships and offshore corporations."

"What I want is to offer a whole package including not only flagging but incorporation of companies for shipowners,” he explained.

Of his new company, Castillero says, "Liberia is an extremely serious registry, full of excellent professionals committed to innovation and service. We will keep growing because our product is excellent, easy to buy and service is outstanding with an impeccable record of safety.  In addition, its management has a clear long-term vision."

Mr. Castillero leaves the Panamanian registry on good terms, expressing faith in his farewell letter that "the new [Panama] authorities will have the same vision of continuous improvement and to offer a better service at a competitive price for the benefit of [our] users and the country.” A press release the Liberian Registry issued upon Castillero's appointment cites his acknowledgment of the Panamanian registry staff's "professionalism and independence", and states he parts with them on "extremely good terms."

Mr. Fernando Solorzano, a member of the Panamanian Registry team for over 20 years, will assume Mr. Castillero's role at the flag State.