Liberian Registry set for Greek surge

The Liberian Registry has topped the 70 million gross tons mark for the first time in more than twenty years as it continues to outpace competing registers. It is also dominating the market for new ships, and is set to claim at least 25% of the Greek newbuilding sector.

This year alone, to end-September, more than 375 vessels aggregating 12m gross tons have signed up, bringing to almost 2,300 the number of ships under the Liberian registry ? the highest total since the peak period between 1976 and 1981.

Scott Bergeron, chief operating officer of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), the US-based manager of the registry, says, “We are looking at momentous growth here. The number of Liberian registrations relates to ships greater than 500 gross tonnes. Unlike some other registries, we do not include the likes of barges, fishing boats and yachts in these growth figures. Independent statistics show Liberia to be outpacing the so-called fast growing registries by three-to-one, in terms of both tonnage and numbers of ships.

“In addition, Greek and German owners have committed over 600 newbuildings, aggregating 10 m gross (and 22m deadweight) tons, to the Liberian registry. In the case of Greece, the commitment of owners to the Liberian registry is second only to that shown to the Greek flag, and Liberia is set to have at least 25 per cent of the Greek newbuilding market.”

Bergeron emphasises that Liberia is not interested in growth merely for its own sake, and that the registry is proud of the leading role it has adopted in setting new industry standards in terms of safety and security initiatives. “Liberia is a quality register,” he says. “The average age of the Liberian-registered fleet is now just thirteen years, and will continue to fall still further as more and more newbuildings enter service.”