Ship Registries

Norwegian Owners Welcome Back Liberian Registry

The Norwegian Shipowners' Association (NSA) has lifted its recommendation not to use the Liberian ship registry, which has been in effect since 2001. The NSA says, “The basis for normalising the NSA's position on the Liberian registry includes the positive developments in Liberia, the position of the UN and the Norwegian authorities, and the increased transparency concerning financial transactions between the registry and the Liberian authorities.” In late 2001, the NSA recommended its members not to use the Liberian registry until the country “answered the UN's call for increased transparency surrounding cashflows from the country”. In addition, the NSA noted at that time that “the UN Security Council has adopted a number of resolutions on the situation in Liberia …” The NSA says, “The Norwegian authorities have now recognized the positive developments in Liberia, not least by upgrading the Norwegian diplomatic presence in the country, cancellation of debts and providing assistance for reconstruction. On this basis, and because the Liberian registry has met the requirements of increased transparency concerning financial transactions between the registry and the Liberian government, the board of the NSA has found it appropriate to lift the recommendation to its members not to use the Liberian ship registry.”

Vanuatu Expands its Presence in Asia

The Republic of Vanuatu, with an established network of offices, deputy commissioners, special agents and inspectors in Asia – Tokyo, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand -- has expanded its presence in the People’s Republic of China with the recent establishment of an office in Shanghai. On May 1, 2007, Mr. C.C.Tan, Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, Singapore and China and managing director of Richfield Marine Agencies (S) Pte Ltd

Seacraft Shipyard Delivers Luxury Dive Yacht

Seacraft Shipyard Corp. of Amelia, La. delivered M/V Cayman Aggressor IV to Aggressor Fleet Ltd. The 110 ft. aluminum luxury dive yacht was designed by Seacraft Shipyard and is Cayman Island Shipping Registry certified. Two 12V71TI main engines, closed coupled to a pair of Twin Disc 514, 2.5:1 transmissions enables Cayman Aggressor IV to cruise at 12 knots. The propeller shafts and rudders are stainless steel and were fabricated at Seacraft's machine shop

Liberia Signs Agreement with U.S. to Suppress WMD Proliferation by Sea

The Governments of Liberia and the United States have signed a landmark cooperation agreement covering measures to suppress the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and associated delivery systems and materials carried on vessels. The Liberian Registry is the first ship registry to put in place the Proliferation Security Initiative, an international initiative to prohibit the spread of illegal weapons of mass destruction. The US-Liberia accord

Africa Seeks to Make Maritime More Economically Important

Plagued by low sources of revenue in their economies, African maritime stakeholders are meeting in Mombasa, Kenya to look into ways the industry could add to national revenue base.   Key debate issue on the first day revolved around whether Africa should adopt an open or closed ship registry system. While maritime experts and industry players yearn for an open form of registry, viewed as a means to boost the number of ships in the continent, hence revenue from taxation

Greek-flag Registry Red Tape Clear-out

Greek Shipping Minister urges owners to choose country's flag as registry gets revamp. Greek Shipping Minister Constantinos Mousouroulis has unveiled a plan to modernize the Greek Shipping Registry that will come into effect imminently. Greece's shipping ministry will put in place a one-stop-shop e-registry responsible for the receipt of the applications, their processing and the monitoring of the necessary steps tied to registering vessels.

LISCR Offers Security Support to Congress

LISCR, the company which manages the Liberian Registry, has pledged its full support to the US Congress to improve security measures for ships visiting US ports. LISCR also identified security measures it has already implemented as a leading ship registry. Addressing the Special Oversight Panel on the Merchant Marine of the Armed Services Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives today, Yoram Cohen, CEO of LISCR said, "We stand ready to assist the Coast Guard or other U.S

Maitland Addresses Mandatory Data Collection by Flag States

A mandatory system of data collection by flag states is the best way to lift the veil of secrecy from the shipping industry without interfering with the normal process of ship sales, financing, insurance and legitimate commercial secrecy needs, Clay Maitland, managing partner of International Registries, Inc. (IRI), said at a Conference on Maritime Legislation, Regulation and Policy in Washington, D.C. today . IRI administers the Marshall Islands registry

Transnet South Africa to Invest Heavily in Logistics Infrastructure

Breakbulk's first Africa conference discusses challenges, opportunities in moving breakbuld & heavy-lift cargo in & out of Africa. South Africa's national transport company is planning infrastructure improvements that will move cargo from highways to rail, the chief executive of Transnet recently told 300 attendees at the first Breakbulk Africa Congress held on the African continent. Transnet CEO Brian Molefe said the investment of R300 billion into capital infrastructure

Utile Maritime Legislation Enacted in Marshall Islands

'Financing Charters' may now be treated as 'Preferred Mortgages' — The Republic of the Marshall Islands passes Maritime Amendment Act (No. 1), 2013. The Republic of the Marshall Islands’ Nitijela has passed the Maritime Amendment Act (No. 1), 2013 – a legislative initiative of key significance to the international marine finance community. The first-of-its-kind legislation permits a “financing charter” to be treated as a preferred mortgage in favor of the