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.”