Liberian Registry, NAMEPA and ProSea launch environmental training program

The Liberian Registry, the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), Netherlands-based ProSea Marine Education, and Maritime Training Services (MTS) of Seattle, Washington, have jointly developed a ground-breaking marine environmental awareness training program for seafarers and shoreside staff.

The computer-based training program provides a comprehensive overview of the complex and diverse marine environment, explaining how it is impacted by shipboard waste, discharge and spills, and by shipping generally. It also covers marine ecology, environmental compliance plans and management systems, sustainable shipping and the role of the human element in pollution prevention. In addition, it provides an overview of MARPOL regulations and other relevant IMO conventions, emphasizing the importance of regulatory compliance in general.

Christian Mollitor, vice-president of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), the US-based manager of the Liberian Registry, says, “This program provides the training that seafarers and shoreside staff need in an era of strict environmental compliance and oversight.

“Environmental performance, regulatory compliance and safety awareness all play a vital role in the commercial success of every company engaged in the shipping industry. In keeping with its reputation as the most technologically advanced maritime administration in the world, and as part of its corporate social responsibility program, the Liberian Registry is delighted to have worked with NAMEPA, ProSea and MTS in producing this program, which provides a framework for individuals to take an active role in balancing economic prosperity, environmental quality and social awareness in the shipping industry.”

Joe Hughes, Chairman of NAMEPA, says, “This program is an excellent example of a successful collaboration to protect the marine environment. Leveraging the strengths of strong partners limits the adverse impact of shipping on the environment and is a powerful step in NAMEPA’s commitment to its mission to Save Our Seas.”

The marine environmental awareness training is suitable for use by those with a vested interest in protecting the marine environment, including all seafaring and port personnel and all office-based maritime industry staff. It is based on the IMO model course 1.38 and meets the requirements of STCW Chapter VI. Liberia will issue a special qualification (SQ) certificate in Basic Environmental Awareness to anyone who successfully completes the course and submits an application and training certificate. Seafarers will receive an SQ sticker for their Seafarer’s Identification & Record Books. Shoreside personnel and cruise ship crew will be issued an SQ card.

For more information, or to purchase copies, please contact publications@liscr.com
or visit www.liscr.com/CBT



The Liberian Registry has a long-established track record of combining the highest standards of safety for vessels and crews with the highest levels of responsive and innovative service to owners. Moreover, it has a well-deserved reputation for supporting international legislation designed to maintain and improve the safety and effectiveness of the shipping industry and protection of the marine environment. www.liscr.com

The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is a 10-year-old marine industry-led organization of environmental stewards preserving the marine environment by promoting sustainable marine industry best practice and educating seafarers, students and the public about the need and strategies for protecting global ocean, lake and river resources. Visit us at: www.namepa.net Media inquiries: Carleen Lyden Walker +203 255 4686 executivedirector@namepa.net

Liberia storms ahead on MLC certification

Ninety-four per cent of qualifying Liberian-flag ships have achieved successful Maritime Labour Convention 2006 compliance, just one week after the convention entered force, putting Liberia far ahead of any other international ship registry.

MLC 2006 certification is a multi-step process. The first step involves the issuing of a Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC) Part 1 at the request of the owner. This is followed by the owner’s submission of DMLC Part 2 for approval. In the case of Liberia, which has opted not to delegate flag state inspection to classification societies, this means approval by the Liberian flag. Thereafter, the vessel is inspected and the certificate duly issued to compliant ships.

The Liberian-flag fleet is the second largest in the world and includes 3,215 ships to which MLC 2006 applies. To date, DMLC Part 2 has been accepted in respect of 3,016 Liberian-flag ships, equating to 94 per cent of the qualifying Liberian fleet. Liberia has issued 1,464 MLC 2006 certificates. It has also issued 3,084 DMLC Part I documents. The certification process meanwhile continues apace.

Liberia was the first flag state to ratify MLC 2006, and one of the first to adopt inhouse measures to anticipate implementation of the convention. David Pascoe, maritime operations and standards chief of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), says, “Other flag states have been relying on class societies to inspect vessels. While still recognising inspections conducted by class and by other Recognised Organisations where appropriate, Liberia has elected to deal with owners directly, using its dedicated global workforce of more than 180 MLC-trained inspectors to conduct inspections. The figures show that this was the right decision.

“There is still some way to go in terms of MLC certification, but Liberia is moving forward rapidly. In our experience, most responsible owners will have no problem complying with MLC, but they need to get their certification in place. Liberia is doing everything it can to help them achieve that goal.”

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 of safety for vessels and crews with the highest levels of responsive service to owners. It has recently surpassed all-time tonnage records, with a registered fleet of approximately 4,000 ships, aggregating more than 133m gross tons. Liberia has launched an online Maritime Labour Complaint Resolution Form for seafarers, which can be accessed from the homepage of its website www.liscr.com