Liberian-flag fleet nears full ISPS compliancy

The Liberian Registry has confirmed its pre-eminent position in ISPS approval and certification with news that it has now completed processing almost 95% of the International Ship & Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) approval plans for that part of the Liberian fleet which needs to demonstrate ISPS compliance.

Almost 1,400 plan approvals have now been completed, confirming the lead role taken in this regard by Liberia at a time when serious concerns are being expressed about the shipping industry’s preparedness for implementation of the code on 1 July this year. The Liberian Registry has also issued more than 450 certificates in respect of ISPS verification audits, with another 400 scheduled for processing.

Scott Bergeron, chief operating officer of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), the US-headquartered company which manages the Liberian Registry, says, “Having elected to conduct our own ship security plan approvals for the entire Liberian-flag fleet, rather than delegate the task to others, it is gratifying to see that we are well ahead in ensuring that our owners are fully ISPS-compliant by the due date.”

Last year, Liberia took the unique initiative of contracting with leading international security specialists to train its own network of inspectors, based at key locations in Europe, the US and the Far East, to perform verification audits under the ISPS Code for shipowners, operators and managers.