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Liberia explains cost-savings provisions for ships

By Moshood Aliyu
15 June 2016   |   2:35 am
To mitigate the burden and financial challenges of Liberian flagged ships, the government has introduced a range of cost-saving provisions.
Scott Bergeron

Scott Bergeron

To mitigate the burden and financial challenges of Liberian flagged ships, the government has introduced a range of cost-saving provisions.

Under the arrangement,  the  provisions are set out in Marine Operations Notes 02-2016 and 03-2016 recently released by the Liberian Maritime Authority to owners and operators of Liberian and non-Liberian flag vessels, as well as financial institutions and legal advisers.

The process cover a range of operational expenses with potential for cost-savings as well as advice that will reduce flag state expenses.
According to  www.liscr.com, the  guidance also includes the facility to waive initial certification and mortgage-related fees for registration transactions in Liberia, as well as fees for the reissuance of ISM and ISPS certificates for vessels transferring into the Registry.

Other provisions covered by the Liberian Registry initiative include the potential to extend vessel drydock periods, the option to harmonize ISM/ISPS audits with annual safety inspections, and free access to an electronic seafarer certification and documentation system.

The report explained that the  cost-savings measures also embrace specific provisions relating to vessels entering lay-up, and the facilitation of operational measures to ensure safe and secure removal of the vessel from service.

It said: “These provisions are available to vessels currently in service, vessels currently under construction and vessels transferred from other flag administrations for the purpose of lay-up. In this regard, guidelines and procedures have also been developed by the Liberian Registry to address safe manning levels, lay-up procedures and inspection intervals”.

Chief Executive Officer of Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), Scott Bergeron, was quoted as saying “We believe it is essential to support the shipping industry during these extremely difficult times. The initiatives we have announced supplement those cost-efficiency measures which are already available to Liberian-flag vessels”.

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