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Liberia becomes first ship registry to join Neptune DeclarationLiberia becomes first ship registry to join Neptune Declaration

The Liberian Registry has become the first ship registry to sign onto the Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change.

Michele Labrut, Americas Correspondent

February 3, 2021

1 Min Read
ALFONSO CASTILLERO NEW
Photo: Liberian Registry

The Liberian Registry joins over 300 owners, operators, and maritime organisations in this worldwide call to action to end the unprecedented crew change crisis caused by Covid-19.

 “I am very proud to have the Liberian Registry join as signatory to the Neptune Declaration.  It is an honour for us to sign, and we pledge to continue our efforts in facilitating crew changes aboard our 4,600 vessels around the globe,” said Alfonso Castillero, Chief Operating Officer of the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR).

“Covid-19 has created unprecedented challenges, and we have been fighting for the facilitation of crew changes since the early days of the pandemic, working closely with industry bodies such as ICS and ITF, port and coastal States, and with the owners and operators of Liberian flagged vessels.”

 In signing on the Neptune Declaration, the Liberian Registry pledges to continue the fight to recognise seafarers as key-workers and give them priority access to Covid-19 vaccines; to establish and implement gold standard health protocols based on existing best practices; increase collaboration between industry stakeholders to facilitate crew changes; and to ensure air connectivity between key maritime hubs.

“There is so much more work to be done to solve this crisis, and we will continue to work day and night in support of this along with the other partner signatories of this very important declaration,” Castillero added.

Related:Leading shipping executives comment on signing Neptune Declaration on crew change

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About the Author

Michele Labrut

Americas Correspondent

Michèle Labrut is a long-time Panama resident, a journalist and correspondent, and has continuously covered the maritime sector of Central & Latin America.

Michèle first came to Panama as a press attaché to the French Embassy and then returned to the isthmus as a foreign correspondent in the 1980s.

Author of Seatrade Maritime's annual Panama Maritime Review magazine and of several books, Michèle also wrote for Time magazine, The Miami Herald, NBC News and the Economist Intelligence Unit. She has also collaborated in making several documentaries for the BBC and European and U.S. television networks.

Michèle's profession necessitates a profound knowledge of the country, but her acumen is not from necessity alone, but a genuine passion for Panama.

In 2012 she was awarded the Order of Merit (Knight grade) by the French Government for her services to international journalism and in 2021 the upgrade to Chevalier grade.

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