Executive Mansion, Monrovia

A one day symposium of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry opened Friday at the Monrovia City Hall, with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf calling for more Liberian involvement in the Maritime Program.

Delivering the keynote address, the President said that the Maritime program must not only be a source of revenue generation but must provide a role for Liberians to participate effectively in the Maritime program through training and other employment opportunities.

According to an Executive Mansion release, the President disclosed that government intends to re-negotiate the agreement with the Liberian International Ship & Corporation Registry.

The renegotiation, the Liberian leader said, is intended to ensure that Liberians participate more effectively in the management and understanding of the program, to ensure that resources accrued from the program benefit the country and its people, to ensure that the nation’s national interest is fully protected.

LISCR is a US-owned and operated company which provides day to day management for Liberia’s ship and corporate registry.

The President said there is a need for better coordination between the Registry and the Bureau of Maritime Affairs as well as the Ministry of Finance. It is this disconnect, the Liberian leader noted that must be corrected with a oneness of purpose.

President Johnson Sirleaf observed that LISCR has not had a good financial reputation over the years and said her government was committed to correct the situation.

Liberia is the world’s second largest ship registry, with over two-thousand ships, representing ten-percent of the world’s ocean going fleet.

Participants at Friday’s symposium included LISCR representatives from Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, and Japan as well as other Maritime guests including the CEO of LISCR, Mr. Yoram Cohen, the General Secretary of the Liberian Ship-owners Council, Joseph Ludwiczak, and the General Manager and Executive Vice President of LISCR, Mr. Joseph P. Keller, among others.