Inspection and Certification of Ships
The Liberia Maritime Program, which delivers “Best in Class” customer service, conducts inspections and provides certification of ships in compliance with the standards of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) of which Liberia is a member. As an active and involved member of the IMO, Liberia is signatory to all major safety and environmental protection Conventions and Treaties. The country’s Bureau of Maritime Affairs (BMA) is authorized to ensure the seaworthiness of vessels and proper manning conditions on board.
Role as a Flag State
As a Flag State, Liberia’s primary responsibility is ensure that ships under the Liberian registry operate in such a manner as to safe guard the life of the crew and the marine environment. To achieve this, the BMA, through its agent, the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR), works to ensure that its registered fleet, irrespective of size, conforms to the provision of international conventions. The registry is currently the leading open registry in terms of safety and quality, and it is noteworthy that it only a very small number of Liberian vessels have been detained. The Registry is working with its nautical inspectors, the class societies and the vessel managers to decrease the number of Port State detentions of Liberian Flag vessels. In addition, the Liberian Registry is the first and so far the only major open registry to have trained a world-wide network of lead auditors in both the International Safety Management (ISM) and International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) codes. By harmonizing the overlapping requirements of these International Codes, the Liberian Registry provides shipowners convenient, efficient and cost-effective certification services. Enrollment in Liberia's optional Harmonized Audit Program has also helped ensure compliance among shipowners while reducing the burden on their ship and shore staff, as well as their survey expenses. Liberia’s world wide network of nautical inspectors also conducts annual safety inspections, which compliment the survey conducted by the classification society. These inspections are focused on operational, manning, training and safety management issues. For more information on the inspection and certification of ships through our Agent, LISCR, please visit their website at www.liscr.com.
Role as a Port State
As a Port State, the inspection and certification of vessels are done through the inspectorate sections, namely Port State Control (PSC), Facilitation, and Small Water Crafts (SWC). Port State Control (PSC) conducts safety inspections on all foreign vessels above 500 gross tons in accordance with IMO Regulation 19 on Port State Control while Small Water Craft inspects, registers, and certifies all commercial fishing vessels on the territorial waters of the Republic of Liberia. Facilitation conducts routine inspections to help expedite the processing time of all vessels calling on ports in Liberia and it inspects shipping agencies registering with the Bureau of Maritime Affairs.
Role as a Coastal State
For more information on the inspection and certification of ships calling on a port in Liberia, please contact the Bureau.
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