Monrovia, Liberia, December 16, 2024 - The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) in collaboration with the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) today opens a three-day National Broad-Based Stakeholders’ Consultation and Final Validation Workshop for Liberia’s National Blue Economy Strategy in Monrovia.

The validation workshop follows a National Stakeholders Consultative Workshop held in September 2024 and is organized by the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) with funding from the Kingdom of Norway. It aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, particularly Goal 6: “Blue/Ocean Economy for Accelerated Economic Growth.”

The workshop brings together a wide range of stakeholders, including technical experts from the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), Ministry of National Defense (MOD), universities, civil society, the private sector, and many other key relevant agencies. Participants will enrich and validate the draft strategy, which focuses on sustainability, economic growth, inclusivity, innovation, and international cooperation.

Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., Commissioner/CEO of the Liberia Maritime Authority, Hon. John F. Harvey, Deputy Commissioner for Vessel Registration, emphasized the importance of the strategy in Liberia’s development and thanked the Kingdom of Norway for their support.

“Liberia’s oceans, rivers, and lakes are vital to our livelihoods and national prosperity. The Blue Economy is a cornerstone for sustainable development, and this workshop is critical to ensuring the strategy is inclusive, practical, and impactful,” he said.

Marshall City, Liberia — In a landmark achievement for Liberia’s maritime sector, 13 graduates have become the nation first certified Marine Engineer Officers Class-3, marking a new chapter in the country’s global maritime prominence. Held Thursday, November 28, 2024 at the Liberia Maritime Training Institute (LMTI) in Marshall City, the graduation ceremony drew top government officials, maritime stakeholders, and international partners. The event celebrated not just the individual successes of the graduates but a broader vision for Liberia as a leader in global maritime industry.

The Certificate of Competence (CoC) program, equips graduates with the technical knowledge and certification to assume critical roles aboard ships, such as Chief Engineer and Second Engineer. This initiative marks a shift in the nation's maritime landscape, positioning Liberia as not only a leading flag state but also a labor-supplying nation for the maritime industry.

The Commissioner of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., called the occasion transformative. “This moment demonstrates our commitment to making seafaring a viable subsector of Liberia's economy,” he declared. “Today’s graduates are pioneers, paving the way for more Liberians to excel in maritime careers. Liberia is moving beyond being just a flag state—we are becoming a significant labor-supplying state for the global maritime industry.” He urged the graduates to embody integrity and excellence as they embark on their careers as their success is expected to inspire future cadets and reinforce Liberia’s reputation as a nation of maritime excellence. The Liberia Maritime Training Institute is at the heart of this transformation.

Monrovia, Liberia – The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has commenced the second phase of its mandatory Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) in Liberia. This follows the recent audit of Liberia's flag state regime conducted in the United States. The audit began on Monday at the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) headquarters in Monrovia, marking a major step in compliance with international maritime obligations.

The IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS), initially established as a voluntary initiative in 2006, became a mandatory treaty obligation in January 2016. The scheme aims to assess the legislative, administrative, and technical frameworks of Member States, focusing on key areas such as maritime safety, environmental protection, and the welfare of seafarers. Its primary objective is to promote the consistent and effective implementation of applicable IMO instruments, while also assisting Member States in enhancing their capabilities and overall performance in meeting their obligations under these instruments.

Deputy Commissioner for Domestic Vessel Registration and Safety at LiMA, Hon. John F. Harvey, hailed the audit as a milestone for the country. "This IMSAS Audit plays a crucial role in ensuring that IMO member states are effectively implementing international maritime regulations and standards. It fosters collaboration, best practices, and mutual support, which are vital for strengthening global maritime governance," he said.

Hon. Harvey expressed optimism that Liberia would meet expectations, noting the tireless efforts of stakeholders in building a robust maritime framework. He extended a warm welcome to the IMO audit team, led by Mr. Italo D’Amico, and commended their commitment to fostering maritime excellence.

Mr. Italo D’Amico, leader of the Audit team, emphasized the importance of cooperation among Liberian stakeholders. “With the support and collaboration of everyone involved in Liberia’s maritime administration, we hope this audit process will be seamless and will help elevate the nation’s maritime sector,” he remarked.

Monrovia – The Regional Maritime University (RMU) continued its Board of Governors’ Meeting in Monrovia on Friday with the Ceremonial  opening, drawing ministers and officials from member states. In attendance were dignitaries including Sierra Leone’s Minister of Transport, Mr. Alhaji Fanday Turay, Cameroon’s Minister of Transport, Hon. Jean Ernest Massena Ngalle Bibehe, Ghana’s Minister of Transport, Hon. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, and the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) Secretary-General Dr. Paul Adalikwu, who praised Liberia’s warm hospitality.

Addressing attendees, Dr. Adalikwu noted Liberia’s unique status as Africa’s only nation in Category A according to the International Maritime Organization standards—a designation for countries with substantial international shipping interests. He expressed hope that Liberia’s influence would engender strategic decisions that would enhance RMU’s global standing.

Speaking at the opening, Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) Commissioner/CEO Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe Sr., reaffirmed Liberia's commitment to the university, underscoring the importance of sustained support from member states. He called for a collective investment to strengthen RMU’s infrastructure and curriculum. Commissioner Lighe, Sr. stressed that strengthening RMU is vital to maintaining global competitiveness in maritime education and meeting rising industry standards.

The meeting marked a milestone for Liberia’s maritime cluster and industry, and it is expected to guide strategic decisions in developing RMU as a leading institution in Africa’s maritime educational sector.

Monrovia, Liberia — The 32nd Board of Governors meeting of the Regional Maritime University (RMU) officially commenced today, November 5, 2024, at 9:00 AM at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Monrovia, Liberia. The gathering brings together maritime leaders from the five founding member states—Cameroon, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone—who will discuss key strategies for advancing the region’s maritime sector.

The day began with a Committee of Experts meeting where industry professionals delved into pressing issues and policies aimed at enhancing the RMU’s operations and efficiency over the next six months. On Friday, November 8, the official Board of Governors meeting will be chaired by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Transport and Aviation, Mr. Alhaji Fanday Turay, who serves as the Chancellor and Board Chairman.

As the RMU’s highest policy-making body, the Board of Governors, made up of ministers and heads of maritime agencies, will review ongoing initiatives and guide the future direction of the University. Established in 1983, the RMU is a key player in fostering regional cooperation and capacity-building in West Africa’s maritime industry.

This year’s meeting, hosted by Liberia, marks a significant moment for the country, underscoring its ongoing commitment to regional maritime cooperation. The Liberia Maritime Authority is expected to play a central role in the discussions, further solidifying the nation’s position as a leader in maritime affairs.

Monrovia, October 14, 2024 – The Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) in collaboration with the National Port Authority (NPA) today kicked off a five-day workshop to boost Liberia’s oil-spill response preparedness. The workshop, running from October 14-18 at A'la Lagune in Monrovia, aims to strengthen Liberia’s collaboration with international partners to mitigate environmental risks and enhance national capacity for spill prevention and response.

Speaking at the opening, Liberia Maritime Authority Commissioner/CEO Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe Sr. expressed gratitude to NPA for co-sponsoring the workshop and acknowledged the contributions of various partners and stakeholders, including Anaïs Guillou, GIWACAF Project Manager, Marittima Ltd technical consultants and Facilitators Ms Nicky Cariglia and Julke Brandt. He emphasized the importance of environmental protection and the need for robust preparedness measures. "Oil spills pose a serious threat to our marine environment, coastal communities, and the overall health of our oceans. This workshop is a critical step in strengthening our national capacity to respond effectively," he said.

LiMA - EU

Monrovia, Liberia, October 8, 2024 – The Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) is exploring a new partnership with the European Union (EU) aimed at enhancing port safety and security in the country. Commissioner Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., Tuesday, October 8, 2024 held discussions with an expert mission from the French and Belgian Technical Cooperation agencies: Expertise France and Enabel, to potentially integrate Liberia's seaports into an EU-funded project on port safety.

The proposed project would focus on building Liberia’s capacity in cybersecurity, handling dangerous goods, and enhancing Port State Control personnel capabilities—key areas identified by LiMA as critical to maintaining the country’s maritime security. Liberia is a major maritime stakeholder globally and within the Gulf of Guinea region.

During the meeting, Commissioner Lighe, Sr. emphasized Liberia’s eagerness to strengthen its maritime security infrastructure. "The support of the European Union through this new project would prove pivotal to our vision for the safety of seagoing activities," he said. He also highlighted LiMA’s strategic goal of increasing Liberia’s representation at the World Maritime University (WMU), seeking more opportunities for young Liberians to benefit from advanced maritime education.

Beijing, China – September 25, 2024 – The Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) reaffirmed its dedication to advancing sustainable maritime transport at the Global Sustainable Transport Forum 2024 (GSTF-2024) hosted by the Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China in Beijing under the theme, "Sustainable Transport: Connecting the World through Logistics".

Addressing the GSTF-2024 on Wednesday, Commissioner/CEO Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., emphasized Liberia’s pivotal role in the global maritime sector and outlining the nation's commitment to enhancing sustainability in international shipping.

In his speech, Commissioner Lighe, Sr. expressed his appreciation to the People’s Republic of China for its enduring partnership, particularly through the recent renewal of the Liberia-China Maritime Transport Agreement. This bilateral agreement is expected to further strengthen cooperation and ties between the two nations, advancing sustainable maritime trade and fostering economic growth.

He highlighted that 80% of global trade is facilitated by maritime transport, underscoring its indispensable role in maintaining global commerce. He called for the international maritime community to adopt energy-efficient technologies and promote the use of alternative fuels to reduce environmental impacts.

“Sustainable transport requires us to move people and goods without depleting the natural resources of our environment,” said Commissioner Lighe, Sr. “This means deploying energy-efficient technologies across all modes of transport, especially in the maritime sector, which remains the most efficient and essential to global trade.”

Liberia - In a strongly worded statement at the 132^nd session of Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), currently holding at the Headquarters of the IMO in London, condemns in the strongest terms the unwarranted and brutal attacks on vessels transiting the RED Sea by the Houthi Rebels of Yemen.