Alfonso Castillero News

Classification society ABS announced it issued an approval in principle (AIP) to South Korea's HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for their ammonia reductant supply system for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) in ammonia-fueled ships. Representatives from both companies and the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR) met at this week's Gastech conference in Singapore for the AIP presentation.The system utilizes…

DNV has granted a design verification report (DVR) for the AI-based autonomous navigation system "HiNAS Control". This system was a joint project between Avikus, a navigation specialist, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. Following the evaluation, the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR) has also given an Approval in Principle (AiP) for this system. The "HiNAS Control" system employs artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) to integrate data from different navigation tools.

Classification society DNV and the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR) have awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) to Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering CO. (KSOE) for a new 40,000 CBM liquified CO2 carrier design. "Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is gaining traction as a technology to reduce the impact of CO2 emissions. Maritime transport will play an essential role in the CCS value chain, which is expected to lead to an increasing demand for liquefied CO2 (LCO2) carriers…

POSCO, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, Lloyd’s Register and the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry have set out to jointly develop liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) carriers to meet the demands of increased global carbon storage and utilization technology.Through their recently signed memorandum of understanding (MOU), POSCO will develop new steel material and relevant technology for storage tank, which are core technologies for the large size of LCO2 carrier…

Maritime satellite communications solutions provider Applied Satellite Technology (AST) is partnering with The Liberian Registry as the first authorized service provider of the Iridium Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) for Liberian flagged vessels.As a Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) convention recognized system, the Iridium GMDSS maritime emergency and distress service helps keep mariners safe in emergency situations at sea, prevent accidents via receipt of Maritime…

The Liberian Registry has unveiled two new online platforms that aim to give seafarers easier access to apply for documents and credentials, and for taking Liberian license and upgrade examinations. The first platform is designed to allow seafarers to directly apply online for their seafarer documents necessary for sailing aboard Liberian flagged vessels at https://seafarers.liscr.com/. Further, the Liberian Registry completely overhauled and modernized its license examination…

A design for the world’s first large liquefied hydrogen carrier has been granted approval in principle (AIP) from the classification society Korean Register and flag state Liberian Registry.The 20,000 cubic meters class vessel was developed by Hyundai Heavy Industries Group and Hyundai Glovis in partnership with the Korean Register and the Liberian Registry, and HHI Group’s Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) announced they have received the AIP on Thursday.Alfonso Castillero…

The Liberian Registry said it has augmented its leadership team to help keep pace with nearly 12% over the last 12 months. The Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR) has added to its ranks Thomas Klenum as Senior Vice President of Maritime Operations, and Reynaldo Garibaldi as Senior Vice President of Maritime Operations and South America.Klenum, based at the Registry’s headquarters, is in charge of the Regulations and Standards, Investigations, and Fleet Security and Certifications Divisions.

The Liberian Registry announced Dallas Smith has been hired as the Director of LNG and Offshore Technology, and as General Manager of the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry’s (LISCR) new Houston Office.Smith brings to his new role at LISCR over 20 years of experience as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. Before his retirement last month, Smith was head of the USCG Liquefied Gas National Center of Expertise where he was responsible for executing the Coast Guard’s entire liquefied gas safety, security, and environmental compliance mission around the world.

South Korean shipbuilders Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) have gained Approval in Principal (AiP) for the application of the “solvent free 1 coating system” for ballast water tanks from both the Korean Register of Shipping (KR) and the Liberian Registry.The eco-friendly (solvent free) 1 coating system has been verified for excellent coating quality when compared to the traditional double coating system and has passed quality standards for alternative…

The Liberian Registry continues its efforts toward the recognition of seafarers as “key workers” and for much needed crew-exchange to be allowed at key ports globally during the global COVID-19 pandemic, and is looking to enlist the help of other flag States in this mission. The Liberian Registry, already working with industry bodies such as the IMO, ICS, and ITF, calls for other major flag States to join in the continued effort to push for a global plan allowing for seafarers…

Shipowner d’Amico will trial remote inspection ship technology as the marine industry adjusts to the constraints placed on people’s movements imposed by national governments to limit the spread of COVID-19.Italian classification society RINA said its remote technology has been approved the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR) for the inspections of Liberian flagged vessels, and it anticipates that the decision of LISCR could shortly be followed by other Flag Administrations.Alfonso Castillero…

The Liberian Registry announced it has opened a new full-service office in Oslo, its fourth new office opened since 2019, as the Registry continues to grow its global network.The Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), the US-based manager of the Liberian Registry, said Hege Solstad has been named General Manager of the Norwegian office.Hege Solstad brings to maritime experience to the role, both in Norway and internationally, after a career with Wilhelmsen Ships Service as Regional Director in Norway…

The Liberian Registry opened a full-service office in Imabari, Japan, as part of the continued expansion of its presence in Asia.Led by Eiji Okazaki, President of the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR) Japan, the Imabari office is comprised of key staff trained to handle ship registrations and technical issues locally. He has been leading the Tokyo office since 2017, and has helped develop the office to now being one of Liberia’s major and most active locations.The office-warming party was held on October 3…

The Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR) confirmed via a press statement that Scott Bergeron, longtime CEO, has departed from the organization.The Cohen family, in particular Adam Cohen and Elan Cohen, continue to lead the organization as Executive Chairmen and Alfonso Castillero has been elevated to the role of Chief Operating Officer reporting directly to the Cohen family. Christine Doherty continues in her role as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, and Benson Peretti continues in his role as Senior VP of Global Services.

Liberia is the second largest ship registry in the world, according to leading shipping analyst Clarksons in its Clarksons World Fleet Monitor January 2019. This report confirms that, in gross tonnage terms, Liberia has overtaken and outgrown the Marshall Islands, which now languishes in third place.Alfonso Castillero, CCO of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), the US-based manager of the Liberian Registry, says, “This is about quality of service, not…

Liberia is the fastest growing major open registry in 2018 in both the shipping and offshore sectors, according to shipping services provider Clarksons in its Clarksons World Fleet Monitor June 2018.Alfonso Castillero, CCO of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), the US-based manager of the Liberian Registry, said: “I am delighted to see that Liberia continues to be the leading flag in 2018. It has grown by 2.2 percent in terms of gross tonnage overall so far this year, while Panama showed negative numbers and the Marshall Islands growth of just 1.7 percent.“The market recognises that Liberia has improved its services and invested in technology to make the lives of its clients easier without increasing its fees.

The Liberian Maritime Administration has welcomed an agreement reached by the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) on an implementation schedule for the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) which broadly incorporates the terms of an amendment initially proposed by Liberia. It was decided at the 71st session of the MEPC (MEPC 71) in London that ships built after September 8, 2017 should have a ballast water management system (BWMS) installed upon delivery. Existing ships…

Alfonso Castillero has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of the Liberian International Ship &Corporate Registry (LISCR), the US-based manager of the Liberian Registry. Alfonso will be responsible for managing the development and implementation of the Liberian Registry’s global sales, marketing, and service assurance strategy. Together with the Registry’s business development group and regional managers, he will further enhance co-ordination of business development and service initiatives, while expanding the Liberian Registry’s leading position in an increasingly competitive shipping industry. LISCR CEO Scott Bergeron says…

Flag states must be proactive in the best interests of shipowners, operators and managers, rather than simply fulfilling their traditional role as certification bodies. Alfonso Castillero, Vice-President of the Liberian Registry, told a recent Liberian Port State Control seminar in Tokyo, "In the current difficult market conditions, flag states can no longer afford to regard themselves as mere factories for issuing registration certificates. It is necessary to evolve and to embrace new challenges. Mr Castillero was speaking at a Port State Control (PSC) seminar organised by the Liberian Registry. The objective of the seminar, which was attended by representatives of the Australian Maritime Safety Agency (AMSA)…

The Liberian Registry informs that Alfonso Castillero, former Director-General of the Panama Registry, has joined their organization as Vice-President. Castillero worked for sixteen years in the Panamanian maritime sector, rising through the ranks to become head of the registry and director-general of the merchant marine. Scott Bergeron, CEO of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), the US-based manager of the Liberian Registry, said: "“We welcome the appointment of Alfonso Castillero. Castillero commented: "“I am very excited to be joining the Liberian Registry, although of course I will miss my colleagues from Panama, from whom I part on extremely good terms. “"Shipping is a highly competitive – and, on occasions, political - industry.

International shipping registries have continued to sharpen their aim taken at a longstanding maritime problem: What is the appropriate response to piracy? As attacks have shifted from Somalia to West Africa, the issue remains at top of mind. Armed guards have proven to be a successful deterrent against attacks. Ship finance and registry lawyer Brad Berman, a Partner at Holland & Knight (H&K), sums up a sea change in views over the past year in views about guns aboard ships, telling Maritime Reporter: “A few years ago most of the shipping industry was against having weapons aboard…