Industry hails Liberia's lead on air pollution control

LIBERIA has become the first major flag state to ratify Annex VI to Marpol, paving the way for a global regime for the control of air pollution from ships. Shipowners have welcomed the move, which will help IMO to implement global regulations on control of sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxides and ozone-depleting gas emissions from ships, abating the threat of unilateral regional action by the US and EU authorities.

Yoram Cohen, ceo of LISCR, the US company which manages the Liberian Registry, says, "Responsible flag states have a duty to show leadership and encourage international uniformity of regulation. We are proud that as by far the largest high quality ship registry Liberia has taken a lead over air pollution control and so helped move international regulation back where it belongs, with IMO and flag states, rather than abdicating responsibility to a regional patchwork of port states acting unilaterally."

Chris Horrocks, secretary general of the International Chamber of Shipping, says, "We welcome this step, and urge other flag states to follow the example of Liberia as soon as possible."

Dr Peter Swift, managing director of INTERTANKO, says, "We very much welcome this news which is a significant step forward for this most important piece of international legislation and Liberia is to be congratulated for again demonstrating its responsible approach to such matters."

Jospeh E Ludwiczak, general secretary of the Liberian Shipowners Council, says, "The LSC welcomes Liberia's ratification of Annex VI, not only because it will substantially reduce global marine air emissions, but also because it does so via a single international instrument rather than a plethora of varying unilateral or regional regulations, which would impede both compliance and enforcement."

Roger Holt, secretary general of INTERCARGO, says, "INTERCARGO applauds the Liberian Register in its decision to ratify MARPOL Annex VI on air pollution from ships and would like to encourage other flag state nations to follow suit so that the Convention can be brought into force as soon as possible."

The shipping industry has been calling for the immediate ratification of Annex VI in order to fend off unilateral controls on air pollution threatened by the US and the EU. In order to enter into force, 15 states with 50 per cent of the world fleet must ratify the annex. Liberia is the first major flag state to ratify, bringing the total sharply up to six states with 26 per cent of the world fleet. "We hope and expect that other quality registries will follow our lead," says Cohen. "IMO and shipowners should get support from flag states."

Full details of Annex VI to Marpol can be found at www.imo.org/environment

l The Liberian Registry is one of the world's largest and most active open registers, with a fifty-year track record of combining the highest standards for vessels and crews with the highest standards of responsive service to owners. It is proud to be on the Paris MOU White List of high-standard flags. Almost 1,800 vessels of 56 m gt currently fly the Liberian flag.

For more information contact:   Yoram Cohen LISCR +1 703 790 3434 ycohen@liscr.com

Issued by: John Guy Merlin Corporate Communications +44 1293 55 00 44 john@merlinco.com