Liberia Expected to Be Removed from Advisory List to Whitelist After Showing Excellence in 2019 ISPS Audit

Since 2010, Liberia has made significant strides in maintaining ISPS compliance within our port facilities, including port concession.

The Contracting Government (Liberia) through the Office of the Designated Authority (DA) continues to institute measures and procedures as well as develop policies that are consistent with our ISPS program and international best practices.

In October 2019, the country’s port facilities underwent a full ISPS audit by the US Coast Guard IPS audit team in anticipation of transitioning Liberia from the current Port Security Advisory List to the White List; based on progress made consistently, relative to the ISPS Code. Removal from the US Coast Guard Port Security Advisory list means that the country has instituted effective anti-terrorism measures at the ports and shipping facilities.

We are very excited with the results of said Port Assessment visit which will reflect the achievement of Liberia being transitioned to the White List which demonstrates our successes and efforts in compliance with our international obligations and the ISPS Code.

As we are aware, maritime port security is not static but an evolving phenomenon that requires continuous planning and introducing proactive security measures that are effective in mitigating threat and breaches.

Therefore, the Designated Authority will keep working with its partners and all maritime-related stakeholders to ensure that relevant port security measures are enforced; maintain the current ISPS status; and continue this success story.

This clarifies that speculations in the public that Liberia failed the audit are untrue.