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Liberian Registry becomes world’s largest flag for tankers

The Liberian Registry is now the world’s largest tanker flag in terms of gross tonnage given the latest tonnage added to its fleet.

Michele Labrut, Americas Correspondent

September 30, 2021

2 Min Read
LIBERIA''Benson Peretti and Alfonso Castillero
Benson Peretti and Alfonso Castillero of the Liberia RegistryPhoto: Liberia Registry

With the recent addition of 2.7m gt of new tankers, the Liberian tanker fleet now stands at 57.4m gt, according to Clarkson’s, making Liberia the world’s leading tanker flag in terms of gross tonnage. 

The Liberian Registry, with a total fleet size of 205m gt has also maintained its position as the world’s leading containership flag with 18% of global container vessel market share; and is the fastest-growing major registry in the world with a 6.6% growth rate year–to-date.

This has been a year of milestones for the Liberian Registry, which just recently passed the 200m gt mark.  This overall fleet growth has largely been due to an increase in newbuilding orders recently delivered, especially with larger modern dual-fuel vessels, oil tankers, LNG carriers, and mega-containerships. 

“I am very pleased to see the Liberian Registry move into the leading position to be the preferred flag State for tanker owners and operators around the world.  This is no accident.  Our commitment to safety, compliance, and bringing cost-savings to the Liberian flagged fleet are huge contributing factors,” said Alfonso Castillero, Chief Operating Officer of the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR)

 “This is a great development for the Liberian Registry globally, and especially here in Greece where Liberia is the top flag for Greek shipowners.  Most of this new tanker tonnage we have registered in Liberia is directly from Greek shipowners, and I am very happy that their trust and support of the Liberian Registry continues,” stated Michalis Pantazopoulos head of LISCR’s Greek office.

Related:Liberian Registry launches online seafarer examination portal

“We have been able to appeal to tanker owners specifically, not just due to our cost-advantages, but thanks in large part to our continuously improving safety rankings; our detention prevention programme; and our global network of 24/7 localised support.  What is also so encouraging about this development is in the type of technologically advanced and fuel-efficient vessels we have been registering,” added Benson Peretti, Executive Vice President at LISCR.

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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