The Liberian Registry has developed a unique satellite-based Compliance Assistance Program (CAP) which has helped ensure regulatory compliance and prevent detentions in some of the world’s most active Port State Control (PSC) areas. In the process, it has contributed to Liberia being named as the best-performing major ship registry worldwide over the last three years, a period during which it has featured on all PSC White Lists. Moreover, during this same period, the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) statistics confirm that Liberia had the best detention rate amongst the largest major flag states.
The development further strengthens the leading role which Liberia has established over a number of years as the world’s most technologically innovative flag state. The CAP tracks ships when they enter selected jurisdictions and allows the Registry’s risk analysis team to perform detailed reviews of vessels, their history, and the ports at which they are calling. As a result, Liberian vessels have experienced a decrease in detentions in heavily trafficked PSC regions such as China.
The CAP supplements the existing electronic services already provided by Liberia and is part of a program which adopts a uniquely proactive approach to ensuring that ships flying the Liberian flag are properly prepared for their upcoming port calls, and that any possible deficiencies are handled prior to entering port. The system is totally electronic and non-burdensome, and is provided at no extra cost to owners and managers.
In addition to the Registry’s Compliance Assistance Program, it is also committed to informing shipowners and operators of PSC Concentrated Inspection Campaigns (CICs), recently identified detainable deficiency information on arriving ports, and recommends action where necessary. Based on feedback from the various MoUs, Liberian-flagged ships have performed very well during the CICs.
The Registry also contacts PSC directly when there is an issue or a misunderstanding, and appeals detentions where they are considered unwarranted. Prior to arrival for every vessel, the Administration uses an innovative and evolving risk analysis tool that it has developed to calculate whether a particular vessel may be a high target for PSC boarding. Subjective risk criteria cover both the ship and the company, drawing on PSC deficiency and detention histories. If the Administration has concerns that a vessel may not be in compliance, it has several proactive support services that may be implemented.
The Registry’s objective is to continually improve and strengthen the excellent safety record enjoyed by the Liberian flag.
For additional information regarding the Registry’s Compliance Assistance Program, please contact prevention@liscr.com.
If you are experiencing a problem with the Port State, please contact the Fleet Port State Control Performance Department or the Duty Officer.
