Liberia the main beneficiary as Greek controlled fleet hits record deadweight levels

The Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee (GSCC) has confirmed that Liberia is the leading independent ship register of choice for Greek-controlled shipping companies, second only to the Greek flag itself.

Figures just released by the GSCC show that, in the year ended 31 March, 2012, Liberia experienced a net increase of 38 Greek-controlled ships aggregating 4.63m dwt – comfortably more than twice the number of vessels secured by any other ship registry. In the same twelve-month period, Panama and Cyprus, respectively, lost 33 and 25 Greek-controlled ships. In deadweight terms, seventeen per cent of Greek-controlled ships are now registered with Liberia, compared to 22 per cent flying the Greek flag.

Although the Greek-controlled fleet decreased in terms of ship numbers in the year under review from 3,848 to 3,760 vessels, the GSCC says that gross tonnage rose from 153.13m gt to 155.90m gt, while, in deadweight terms, the increase was from 261.68m dwt to 264.05m dwt, a new record in the 25 years since the GSCC first published statistics. The latest figures include 437 newbuildings, aggregating more than 25m dwt, on order with shipyards around the world.

Scott Bergeron, CEO of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), the US-based manager of the Liberian Registry, says, “Greece is one of a number of countries in which Liberia is now the fastest-growing fleet. Liberia and Greece share a strong maritime history of co-operation and success dating back to the birth of the Liberian Registry. It is very gratifying to know that, more than sixty years on, Greek owners still value the efficiency, safety and responsiveness of the Liberian flag so highly.”

The Liberian Registry is one of the world’s largest and most active shipping registers, with a long-established track record of combining the highest standards for vessels and crews with the highest standards of responsive service to owners. The latest annual Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table published by the International Chamber of Shipping and the International Shipping Federation awarded Liberia positive performance indicators in every category covered by the report - port state control, ratification of major international maritime treaties, use of compliant recognised organisations, age of fleet, reporting requirements, and attendance at IMO meetings. Liberia features on the White List of all Port State Control Memorandums of Understanding, worldwide, and is included in the US Coast Guard’s QUALSHIP (Quality Shipping for the 21st Century) programme, to which only a small percentage of foreign-flag ships calling at US ports are admitted, based on the excellence of their port state control record. www.liscr.com