The Liberian Registry has come out in full support of the International Maritime Organization’s recommendation that there should be no general ban on international travel or trade due to the Ebola virus. Meanwhile, operation of the U.S.-based registry remains unaffected.
IMO cites the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), and indeed recommends to all member states, as well as to the broader maritime community, shipping companies, ship operators and port and terminal operators, that they follow the recommendations of the WHO. These recommendations advocate that the movement of ships, including the handling of cargo and goods, to and from affected areas, should continue as normal.
Scott Bergeron, CEO of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry, the US-based organization which manages the Liberian Registry, said, “Liberia supports the IMO recommendations wholeheartedly, and believes that shipping should continue to operate safely and efficiently, and trust to the common sense of owners and charterers in these difficult times.
“The Ebola virus continues to claim thousands of innocent victims, mainly in West Africa, many in Liberia. The Liberian Registry is deeply saddened at this tragic loss of life, although its ships and crews, and its operations, are not directly affected by the virus in any way.
“The Liberian Administration has taken every precaution to ensure that the Ebola virus does not affect the Liberian Registry in either an operational or financial sense. The registry is managed from the United States, from where its global operations are administered. It is operating as normal, and continues to offer the first-class service, innovation and financial strength with which it has become synonymous.
“A number of shipowners have contacted us to express support for the Liberian people, and some have helped to provide much-needed supplies to affected areas. We will be continuing to coordinate more efforts of this kind over the coming weeks.”