Liberia
is the oldest democracy in Africa which was ounded in 1847.
In 1948, the Republic of Liberia adopted maritime and associations laws
to serve the needs of world commerce.
Liberia was one of the first offshore, zero tax jurisdictions.
Its excellent safety record and low loss ratio are attributed to its
mandatory safety inspection program for vessel hull, machinery, safety
and communications equipment, crew training and qualifications. Liberia
has been an active member in the International Maritime Organization
(IMO) since 1959 and has worked to transform IMO policy into effective
action.
For more than 50
years, Liberia has operated a premier ship registry with one of the
largest fleets of merchant ships in the world. About 1900 ships fly
Liberian Flag. Vessel types include tankers, bulk cargo, general cargo,
containers, reefers, offshore drilling units, barges, passenger vessels,
fishing vessels, yachts and other small crafts.
The soundness of the
Liberia Maritime Program, the high quality of the vessels and the
professional skills with which they are administered are internationally
recognised by lending institutions and shipyards that accept mortgages
on vessels as security for payment.
Alongside its premier
ship registry, which is currently administered by the Liberian
International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR), Liberia operates two
additional ship registration programs the Domestic Watercraft Program,
established 24 years ago, based in Liberia and managed by the Bureau of
Maritime Affairs, deals with registration of fishing vessels and smaller
watercrafts operating in the territorial waters of Liberia, and the
Pleasure and Small Watercraft Program, the newest of three, deals
with the registration of vessels (yachts, smaller watercrafts) of less
than 500 gross tons, operating in and outside the territorial waters of
Liberia. The administrative headquarter of this program is in New York
City, where all ship mortgages are recorded and other official documents
are issued. It has several offices and contacts around the world.
Advantage of
Registering In Liberia
-
All services under
one roof: vessel & corporation
registration, mortgage recordation, technical assistance,
licensing of marine personnel, radio authority etc.
-
fast registration
process
-
low
fees
-
International
lending institutions and ship builders have confidence in the Liberian
Registry
Licenses, Certificates
Liberian
operators’ licenses, certificates or permits are issued to persons upon
two methods: License equivalency or by professional examination.
Equivalent Licenses are issued to license holders from major maritime
nations whose educational system and examinations are found to be
acceptable.
Manning
There are
no restrictions on the nationality of crew. Where appropriate, a vessel
shall be issued minimum safety manning certificate setting forth the
required minimum number of officers, crews, in specified grades and
ratings.
LIBERIAN PLEASURE &
SMALL WATERCRAFT REGISTRY
Registration Procedure & Requirements
Application for Registration:
Registration process begins after the owner of a vessel or his legal
representative has sent a formal request to the representative office or
a designated official. Immediately thereafter, a list of requirements
for initial registration will be submitted to the owner or his
representative along with an application for registration and breakdown
of fees based upon the size of the vessel. Upon receipt of a completed
application form along with the
required fee, a Provisional Certificate will be issued even if
all the below requirements for registration are not satisfied at the
time of initial registration. A six month grace period is given for all
registration requirements to be satisfied.
Requirements for
Registration
1. A vessel
must be owned by a Liberian Citizen, Liberian National or by a Foreign
Maritime Entity (it is an entity created under the laws of a
jurisdiction other than Liberia and are eligible to own vessels when
registered in Liberia pursuant to Chapter 13 of the Business Corporation
Act) or foreign individual.
The term "citizen" or "national" refers to corporation,
partnership, trust, or association of individuals. Information about the
formation of a Liberian Corporation or Foreign Maritime Entity can be
obtained from our office.
The formation process of a Liberian Corporation takes about one hour.
2. Classification of
vessels by recognized classification is required for vessels of 24
meters or more in length and if such is not classed, a Certificate of
Survey issued by a recognized Classification Society surveyor or a
Statement of Compliance or similar document from an underwriter retained
by an owner shall suffice. For vessels of less than 24 meters in length,
a survey must be carried out by an authorized surveyor, a recognized
naval architect or yacht association or boatyard, or an underwriter's
assessor from whom a Statement of Compliance or similar can be obtained.
3.
Advise Power of
Attorney or Corporate Resolution, authorizing person(s) executing the
above document to register the vessel.
4.
Show proof of
ownership:
For existing vessel an owner must submit a Bill of Sale (3) copies and
for a new vessels, master carpenter certificate transferring title to
applicant;
When an owner owns the vessels under a foreign flag and is transferring
it Liberian Pleasure & Small Watercraft Registry without the change of
ownership, a proof of ownership must be submitted.
5.
Provide proof from
current registry:
a.
The state of Registry from which the vessel is being transferred
is to issue a document approving the transfer of vessel to the Liberian
Flag in the ownership of the shipowner. If the actual proof of the
vessel's cancellation from her present registry is submitted, then proof
of consent is not required.
b.
Free Recorded liens: Proof that the vessel is free of recorded
liens is required in the form an official statement issued by the
government from which the vessel is being transferred. Said statement
could be included in the consent to transfer or the cancellation
certificate from exiting registry.
Permanent Certificate
of registry is issued upon receipt of a request and appropriate
documents from an owner after a provisional certificate has expired. It
is valid indefinitely.
Liberia Flag
