Strengthening position as safest major flag
The Liberian Registry has developed a unique satellite-based Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) which has helped ensure regulatory compliance and prevent detentions in some of the world’s most active Port State Control (PSC) areas. In the process, it has contributed to Liberia being named as the best-performing major ship registry worldwide over the last three years, a period during which it has featured on all PSC White Lists and has been included in the prestigious US Qualship 21 programme. Moreover, during this same period, the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) statistics confirm that Liberia had the best detention rate amongst the largest major flag states.
The development further strengthens the leading role which Liberia has established over a number of years as the world’s most technologically innovative flag state. The CAP tracks ships when they enter selected jurisdictions and allows the registry’s risk analysis team to perform detailed reviews of vessels, their history, and the ports at which they are calling. As a result, Liberian vessels have experienced a decrease in detentions in heavily trafficked PSC regions such as China.
The CAP supplements the existing electronic services already provided by Liberia and is part of a program which adopts a uniquely proactive approach to ensuring that ships flying the Liberian flag are properly prepared for their upcoming port calls, and that any possible deficiencies are handled prior to entering port. The system is totally electronic and non-burdensome, and is provided at no extra cost to owners and managers.
Scott Bergeron, CEO of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), the US-based manager of the Liberian Registry, says, “The Compliance Assistance Programme is just the latest in a series of technological innovations designed to make Liberia the safest and most efficient fleet afloat. Other examples of the registry’s pioneering approach to technology include the introduction of the online filing of seafarer credentials, enabling owners to save tens of thousands of dollars each year and streamlining the turnaround time for issuing seafarer documents.
“Liberia was also the first flag state to institute the electronic delivery of original documents, which has been hailed by the industry as a ground-breaking service that demonstrates that Liberia is up to speed with 21st century technology and its application to the shipping industry.
“Recently, Liberia also created an online application system that allows Liberian-flag owners and managers, as well as those from other non-party states, to receive their Wreck Removal Certificates without delay through the registry’s online portal. Liberia is also the first flag state to launch its own powerful state-of-the-art mobile application (app) to enable owners, managers and operators to communicate and interact with the registry on a round-the-clock basis.
“The Liberian Registry has always been a highly proactive flag, working tirelessly to support owners and managers. Liberia’s significant investments in technology, such as the Compliance Assistance Programme, strengthen its position as the world’s largest quality ship registry.“
Source: LISCR
