POSIDONIA 2014/THE AFTERMATH
Stands Liberia and Greece celebrate successful relationship of 65 years at Posidonia 2014
Pictured here are Yoram Cohen (centre right) and the Senior Vice President and Managing Director of LISCR Greece, Michalis Pantazopoulos, during a visit to their stand by Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras
The ties between Liberia and Greece have traditionally been very strong. And, like good wine, those ties only get better with age. Posidonia 2014 was a major success for the Liberian Registry with record-breaking crowds of current and potential clients, visitors, and friends visiting the Registry’s exhibition stand. Posidonia 2014 broke new event records this year with more than 19,421 visitors, 1,843 exhibitors from a total of 93 countries. As the Greek fleet expansion program aggressively continues, a total of 28 vessel registries participated at this year’s Posidonia in hopes of attracting the attention of Greek shipowners, however, the Liberian Registry remains the shining star as the number one flag of choice for Greek-owned vessels, second to the Greek national flag. Senior Vice President and General Manager of LISCR Hellas, Michalis Pantazopoulos, recounts that on March 11, 1949, the first commercial vessel, the S.S. World Peace, owned by interests controlled by Stavros Niarchos, and under charter to Getty Oil Co, was registered with Liberia. Today, the Liberian fleet stands at approximately 4,000 ships, and Greek-owned tonnage features very prominently in those figures. Indeed, statistics recently released by the Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee (GSCC) show that, in deadweight terms, 17 percent of Greek-controlled ships were registered under the Liberian flag at end-March, 2014 – second only to the Greek national flag itself. This is an increase of 3.5m dwt on last year. A total of 678 Greek-controlled ships, aggregating 49.05m dwt, are currently registered with Liberia, compared to 819 vessels aggregating 76.11m dwt flying the Greek flag. Mr. Pantazopoulos says, “Liberia and Greece share a strong maritime tradition of successful cooperation dating back 65 years to the birth of the Liberian Registry. It is a source of great satisfaction to know that Greek owners still value the efficiency, safety and responsiveness of the Liberian flag administration. It is often said that it was the Greeks who gave birth to the Liberian Registry, and it is very 30 SHIPPING JULY AUGUST 2014
gratifying to see how they have remained with us.” At this year’s Posidonia exhibit, Liberia celebrated 65 years since the first vessel – fittingly, of Greek ownership – was registered with the Liberian Administration. Since this time, Greek owners have continued to find the quality, knowledge and responsiveness of the Liberian Registry a perfect fit for their requirements. Additional highlights of the Registry’s Posidonia exhibit included displays commemorating the registration of the very first Liberian flagged vessel, the renowned S.S. WORLD PEACE, as well as photographs of modern day Greek-owned vessels recently registered with Liberia. The Registry also showcased the latest exciting developments including the recent launch of its powerful state-of-the-art mobile application (App) to enable owners, managers, operators and others to communicate and interact with the registry on a round-the-clock basis. The Registry’s FlagState App builds on Liberia’s commitment to provide innovative technology and services to its clients, who own, manage and operate more than 4,000 vessels worldwide. From an iPhone, iPad or an android device, users can read up-to-the-minute news and developments; access a comprehensive Global Maritime Events Calendar and, with the click of a button, add events to their calendar and share upcoming events; verify the authenticity of certificates and documents for Liberian-flagged ships; search Liberia’s global network of inspectors and ISM/ISPS/MLC auditors; validate seafarer credentials; submit an MLC Complaint Resolution Form; track the daily vessel positions on an interactive world map of all Liberian-flagged ships; browse photos of Liberia’s quality fleet; and quickly access the registry’s Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn profiles. Posidonia is always a great opportunity for members of the Registry to visit with and renew valued relationships with clients and friends at numerous festivities throughout the week. Staff from the Registry’s global network of offices, including its dedicated Piraeus base, were delighted to welcome attendees to the Liberian Registry’s stand at the Metropolitan Expo Centre. At this year’s event, the Registry was honored to have its stand visited by Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Merchant Marine Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis. The Registry’s Administration was also thrilled to have the presence of the Commissioner of the Liberian Bureau of Maritime Affairs, Mr. Binyah Kesselly; Chairman of the YCF Group, Mr. Yoram Cohen; President of the YCF Group, Mr. Adam Cohen; Chief Executive Officer of the Liberian Registry and YCF Maritime, Scott Bergeron; and the Senior Vice President of the Liberian Registry and Managing Director of the Registry’s Piraeus office, Michalis Pantazopoulos. The Liberian Registry continues to grow with the addition of ships from both existing and new owners. The fleet now stands at approximately 4,000 ships, aggregating 136m gt and over 207m dwt, which is nearly 40% larger than its closest rival, Marshall Islands. While engaged in this program of planned, quality expansion, the Liberian Registry has not lost sight of its primary objective of staying close to its customers and taking proactive steps, where appropriate, to protect their interests. This philosophy can be seen in a number of recent initiatives, not least the industry-leading role which Liberia has taken in connection with its unique and exclusive Harmonized Audit Program. Liberia is the only Flag State that provides ship owners the op-