Department of Marine Environmental Protection
This department is clothed with the responsibilities of developing and implementing an integrated system for the protection of the marine environment as well as the National Maritime as well as implement public policies associated with the protection of Liberia’s marine environment in accordance with national and international regulations; develop policies governing the protection from pollution that could cause environmental damage to the marine environment; coordinate with other relevant government agencies for the establishment of a national system for immediate response to marine pollution incidents, reducing the risks and threats posed for such incidents; contribute to capacity building of personnel of all stakeholders in marine emergency response, damage assessment and identify measures needed to address them; participate in raising public awareness of citizens about the protection of the marine environment and to combat marine pollution; provide marine environmental advice to the Commissioner and the Board of Directors; Commission studies and tests necessary for the protection of the marine environment, and contribute to the field of environmental studies at the national level in the legal scope of the Commission; develop systems and technical procedures for inspection of environmental marine facilities; establish sets of rules and regulations that ensure the existence of effective compensation for damage to persons or property or the environment itself in the exercise of maritime activities, both within private enterprises (coastal and marine) or on the sea; organize and coordinate operations to combat marine pollution in all its forms, and follow up implementation of plans and control techniques adopted in the Commission and develop follow-up actions necessary to implement a national contingency plan for dealing with oil pollution of the marine environment in accordance with international standards.

The Marine Environmental Protection department also handles Integrated Coastal Management Program, Liberia Coastal Zone, programs that safeguard Liberia’s marine and waterways from invasive species through the development and implementation of an effective ballast Water Management policy.

The Department of Domestic Vessel is responsible to register and certificate ships under 500 gross tonnage operating in and beyond Liberian waters. The legal basis establishing the registration and certification of such ships in the Republic of Liberia is governed under Chapter 11 of Title 21 of the Liberian Maritime Law known as the Registration and Control of Pleasure Watercraft, Yacht, Fishing Vessels and Domestic Commercial Vessels Operating In and Outside the Republic.  By and through this statute, the Liberian Administration administers its Small Watercraft and Pleasure Craft Registry alongside the globally recognized International Registry which is operated and managed by the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR).

This department which is also known as Small Watercraft and Pleasure Craft Registry registration services include issuance of applicable statutory certificates, seamen books, mortgage recordation, registration of bill of sales or builder’s certificate etc. The Registry utilizes the services of the Department of Inspection, Survey and Audits to implement its core functions.  

Domestic Vessel Application Form

The Liberian Registry is open to any shipowner in the world and accepts any type of vessel so long as it meets the Registry standards. The pre-registration formalities are user-friendly, and designed to meet international standards in relation to safety and documentation and to protect the interest of shipowners registering their vessels in Liberia. Click to Read More

Director of Strategy, Planning and Monitoring:

The department is responsible for the enhancement of the Authority's organizational effectiveness through the setting up of appropriate corporate strategies and developing attractive business modules which are intended to drive revenue growth, achieve program excellence, establish a national maritime infrastructure and promote the Liberia Maritime Authority Brand Awareness in a bid to create a leading maritime nation.

The Department of Corporate Strategy is responsible for coordinating the development of the corporate strategies and programs that will enable the Authority to perform its statutory functions and mandates. It also ensures that all potential economically viable opportunities are fully exploited by the Authority or seek appropriate partnership with private or other public actors. The Department ensures that programs and policies are fully monitored for implementation and progress.

The department identifies and develops short and long term corporate goals and objectives. It monitors the Authority’s progress and competition as well as interpreting industry trends and conducts risk assessment for potential market segments and advises the Authority accordingly.

The Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) acknowledges the important contribution all Liberians and employees make towards achieving the cooperate aims and protect the interest of all employees and Liberians by helping them reach their full potential though appropriate training and development.

To this end, the overall objective of the Training and Development Scheme are to ensure that the LiMA has sufficient trained, qualified and experienced employees to meet its current and anticipated service needs; provide the training needed to enable employees to perform their present jobs effectively and to acquire new skills relevant to the duties they will require to undertake; provide the training to ensure that employees and other Liberians are able to discharge their statutory duties in terms of IMO regulations including STCW  convention and code and to assist the LIMA  in discharging its responsibilities as an employer and corporate organization; assist employees and other Liberians corporate develop their potential for career progression consistent with the needs of both the Authority, our clients and the individual employee; meet effectively the training and development needs both of the Authority and its employees in terms of quality and cost, by using both the LIMA’s own resources and, where appropriate external facilities and/or training providers; assist the Authority in developing and providing the best possible services to the community by encouraging all employees and Liberians to maximize their potential and provide equal access to appropriate learning and development opportunities for all.

The Department of Policy, Compliance and International Relations oversees the domestication, implementation and enforcement of all IMO’s Instruments to which Liberia is a party. It coordinates with relevant departments, stakeholders and international organizations to develop policies, legislations, associated rules, regulations and administrative procedures to ensure the implementation and enforcement of IMO’s Instrument Implementation (III) Code, Maritime Labor Convention and other national and international instruments; conducts research on emerging trend in the industry and make possible recommendations on improvement of regulatory framework, strategy and policies for implementing international conventions into national laws; conducts policy research and analysis to develop National Maritime Policies and strategies for maritime sector development. The PCIR Department also ensures that Liberia is in full compliance with all her obligations as a flag, port and coastal state.

This department also makes technical representation on behalf of Liberia and solicits technical assistance from relevant international organizations for building national capacity to ensure Liberia is in full compliance with its international obligations which entails collaborating with International Maritime Organization, International Hydrographic Organizations, International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA).

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Brief History of LiMA

The Liberian Maritime Program was established in 1948 with strong support from the United States of America.  In 1949, Liberia became a founding member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and has over the years played a critical role in promulgating maritime safety, security and environmental protection. The Bureau of Maritime Affairs (BMA) administered the program under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance and later the Ministry of Transport. With the passage of Liberia Maritime Authority Act of 2010, the BMA then transitioned into the Liberian Maritime Authority (LiMA); a public corporation with greater responsibility of managing all commercial activities within the maritime domain of Liberia.  The rational for this transition was to diversify the Authority’s activities from its long-standing focus of being a nation with a leading maritime shipping and corporate registry program, to a nation that strategically focuses on building and, or supporting enterprises across the domestic maritime domain for greater economic and social benefits to the Nation and its People.   

The Liberian Maritime Program is currently recognised as the second largest ship registry in the world.   Its activities are governed by the Liberia Maritime Laws [Title 21 of the Liberian Code of Laws revised], with a mandate to regulate all foreign and domestic waterborne commerce, enforce maritime treaties, including Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS); Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL); the Standards for Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers (STCW) and the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).

Hence, with over seven decades of international maritime presence, we are poised to fully explore the coastal resources and vast biodiversity that exists within our domestic maritime domain.

Mandate of the Authority

The Liberia Maritime Authority under the LiMA Act of 2010 is mandated to perform the following functions for and on behalf of the government of the Republic of Liberia:

• Administer, secure, promote, regulate, enforce, design, and execute policies, strategies, laws and regulations, plans and programs relating, directly and indirectly to the functioning, growth and development of the maritime sector, and national maritime awareness;

• Collaborate, coordinate, and consult with the Ministry of National Defense (specifically the Coast Guard), the Ministry of Justice (police, immigration and other relevant law enforcement agencies), the Ministry of Finance, (now Liberia Revenue Authority) (Customs), National Port Authority, the Ministry of Agriculture (Bureau of Fisheries), the National Oil Company of Liberia, the Ministry of Transport and other government institutions engaged in activities related to the maritime sector to collaborate in promoting the country's social and economic development associated with or growing out of the national maritime, marine and related programs and activities;

• Introduce and promote the enactment of national legislations in the exercise of the rights and discharge of the responsibilities of the Republic of Liberia under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982 and any other maritime related international conventions, agreements and instruments.

Vision
To build a vibrant domestic maritime program that is financially self-sustaining, internationally compliant and effective in protecting our Maritime Domain.

Mission
To Be the Best in Class Leader in Global Maritime Operations.