GLASGOW, Scotland – The Commissioner of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), Eugene Nagbe, has told the Liberia Shipowners Council Conference 2021 that Liberia aims at being at the center of shaping the regulations and standards of maritime industry.
He said through the cooperation of the LISCR, LiMA’s agent, the Liberian government will continue to stand for pragmatic regulation, passionate client-service, and support for the tireless seafarers who move the global fleet.
Commissioner Nagbe made these assertions on the margins of the COP 26 Conference in Glasgow, Scotland where he was invited by the Liberia Shipowners Council board.
According to him, Liberia has a track record of promoting positive regulatory change with deep consideration for effective implementation. He urged the maritime industry to continuously evolved and improve in a harmonious manner that is operationally and financially feasible for shipowners. He said, Liberia is committed to redoubling its engagement with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and strive to be on the IMO Council.
Mr. Nagbe asserted that Liberia’s efforts to care for the macro-level concerns of shipowners has also propelled LiMA and the government to tackle the issue of maritime security.
“Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea has reached an intolerable level and as an ECOWAS member-state, Liberia is uniquely positioned to work with other West African nations to reach a sustainable solution to the problem. Over the past 12 months the Liberian government has initiated high-level diplomatic dialogue on this issue. I am personally committed to championing Liberia’s initiative to address this matter.
“Our hope is to find global and regional solutions to this problem, which impacts shipowners and the vulnerable seafarers who are confronted with such violence,” he said.
The Liberia Maritime Authority Commissioner further sounded passionate about the wellbeing of seafarers, describing them as the “most important assets in our industry”. He said as an institution, they have the legal and moral obligation to protect them.
“It’s for this reason that Liberia has continuously worked throughout the pandemic to advocate for seafarers being designated as essential workers. We will continue to publicly demand for seamless crew changes and onshore emergency medical support,” he said.
He added that Liberia is also developing its own community of seafarers through the Liberia Maritime Training Institute which graduated its first batch of cadets in 2019.
He thanked d’Amico Shipping and APM Terminals for their founding support in further training and employing LMTI’s Liberian students.
“They are the future for transforming Liberia into a maritime nation with maritime talent. I also like to encourage and invite you our loyal shipowner community to be a part of this exciting endeavor; contact us with any interest in collaborating with this extraordinary program,” he said.