Liberian Registry Gets USCG Recognition

The Liberian Registry has been admitted to the United States Coast Guard’s Qualship 21 quality incentive program– a distinction enjoyed by only ten percent of foreign-flagged ships calling at U.S. ports - as a result of its excellent port state control record. This recognition of Liberia’s commitment to quality shipping comes at a time of growth and expansion for the registry, which has grown by more than 500 vessels under the management of the U.S.-based Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR).Reductions in port state control examinations and streamlined inspection procedures are among the benefits available under the Qualship 21(Quality Shipping for the 21st Century) program to owners of non-U.S.-registered ships calling at U.S. ports, if they measure up to the USCG standards. Qualship 21 is part of the US Coast Guard’s effort to eliminate substandard shipping and reward high-quality vessels. Since LISCR assumed management of the registry in 2000, the Liberian-flag fleet has increased from 1,698 ships totaling 53.3 million gross tons, to 2,217 vessels of almost 66 million gross tons, by March 2006 – an increase of more than 12.5m gross tons.