Interview with Mr Scott Bergeron
Interview with Mr Scott Bergeron, Chief Executive Officer of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR) , on current Flag Challenges
S4S: What are the key market challenges for a leading flag state ?
SB : The prolonged economic crisis and challenges are undoubtedly the biggest market challenges for everyone in the shipping industry. Whether we focus on liquidity issues, lack of availability of traditional credit lines, reduced volumes or over supply of tonnage, it is a difficult time for everyone in shipping when considering the short-term horizon. Despite this, we find that there are some opportunities for the Liberian Registry despite these challenges. We consider ourselves to be partners with our clients and work extra hard for them during difficult times. While it is our responsibility to ensure that regulatory standards are met, we have also developed innovative concepts to help ship owners conserve money, yet still maintaining high standards. These initiatives include a progressive lay-up concept, dry-dock extensions, harmonized audit program and fleet consolidation opportunities.
The escalating piracy issues are also a troubling challenge. Liberia is determined to help identify and implement a global solution to this growing epidemic. This includes our efforts at the IMO in the development of guidelines for seafarers, shipowners, ports and security staff – as well as our recent signature to the Declaration Condemning Acts of Violence Against Seafarers.
S4S: Becoming a CEO in one of the leading Registries what are the key priorities in your agenda ?
SB : Having overseen the daily operations of the Registry for the last 11 years, my intention is to continue our successful strategy of employing shipping professionals, empowering our regional offices in the major shipping centers and developing innovations that help the world’s leading shipowners to reduce unnecessary expenses while complying with Liberia’s high standards. We will also continue our focus on our growth in the Far East and South America as we continue to serve our longstanding clients in Europe, Scandinavia, North America with the level of service that sets Liberia apart from our competitors.
S4S:What are the key directions towards improving Liberian Flag performance ?
SB : In terms of safety, pollution prevention and seafarers welfare, the Liberian Registry will continue with our proactive approach to regulatory compliance. Our aim is to help shipowners comply and reward with carrots, rather than to sit back, react to non-compliance and then punish with a stick. For example, we have been conducting training seminars for our global network of Maritime Labour Convention inspectors and have certified over 100 individuals to date. Alongside of this, we are hosting free seminars to assist the shipowners and their crewing departments and manning agencies to help them understand the new requirements and to assist them with compliance in advance of the anticipated implementation deadline. Similarly, our global network of inspectors are available to shipowners and vessel masters in every major and most minor ports of the world in case the vessel experiences difficulties prior to or upon arrival. These investments by the Registry have proven to increase compliance, which in turn prevents accidents and detentions.
S4S: What is future strategy of LISCR? Is it steaming in the same direction or should we expect some minor/major changes ? Why ?
SB : As indicated above, we will continue our successful strategy of recent years. Having more than doubled our fleet to 3700 ships of 120,000,000 gross tons, we are not satisfied to sit on our laurels. Nor are we interested in growth for growth’s sake. The Liberian Registry is a dynamic and constantly evolving and improving organization and minor charges will always be a part of our philosophy. So will the investment in our staff, as they are the ones that are responsible for the Liberian Registry’s success.
S4S: What are the benefits for those ship owners performing in line with the Flag Standards ?
SB : Shipowners that use the Liberian Registry benefit from our unparalleled desire to deliver innovative solutions that lead to improving their regulatory compliance and creating cost efficiencies. We are able to provide such a leading approach because we have shipping professionals that understand the business of shipping and ship management. When one looks at systems such as our electronic certificates, web-based certification systems and our rapid response teams, we have the ability to save shipowners tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars in the elimination of hidden administrative costs, unnecessary delays and vessel detentions.
S4S:What is your message to existing and prospective clients of the Liberian Registry ?
SB : For our existing clients, I wish to assure them that we will continue to satisfy their high expectations with our proactive and continuous improvement approach to customer service and regulatory enforcement. To our prospective clients, I suggest that they speak to our existing clients to find out what they are missing!
Scott Bergeron is Chief Executive Officer of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry, the US-based managers of the Liberian Registry(www.liscr.com).
