Flag states must be more proactive


The Liberian Registry said that, in today’s challenging shipping markets, flag states must be proactive in the best interests of shipowners, operators and managers, rather than simply fulfilling their traditional role as certification bodies. Alfonso Castillero, vice-president of the Liberian Registry, told a recent Liberian port state control (PSC) seminar in Tokyo: “In the current difficult market conditions, flag states can no longer afford to regard themselves as mere factories for issuing registration certificates. It is necessary to evolve and to embrace new challenges. Shipping registers need to combine quality and innovation with tradition, experience, reputation and flexibility.”