How one of the world’s largest open registries is advancing shipping safety and decarbonisation 

Mr Castillero discusses how shipowners can benefit from the Liberian Registry’s recent listing in the US Coast Guard’s Qualship 21 programme and the flag’s newly developed Dynamic Detention Program and a soon-to-be-launched Duty Officer App benefit shipowners. 

With about 5,000 vessels aggregating some 220M gross tonnes flying the Liberian flag, LISCR takes safety as a top priority, says Mr Castillero, and he pushes back against those that criticise open registries. 

“Through the years, there has been a lot of criticism of flag states and open registries. But if you look at the ranking, on safety and performance, you are better (off with an open registry) than many of the other closed registers.” 

Forward leaning, the flag administration is advancing shipping’s research into decarbonisation through dozens of collaborative joint industry projects (JIPs), collaborating with class, owners and shipbuilders on testing biofuels and developing designs for CO2 carriers and liquid hydrogen vessels.