By By Alphanso Kalama
Monrovia, Liberia — The Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) has issued a strong directive mandating the removal of all wrecked, sunk, or stranded ships within Liberia’s ports and coastal waters by October 31, 2025, warning that failure to comply will be considered abandonment of property.
In Marine Operations Notice No. 09/25, released on September 11, 2025, the Authority stated that shipowners, operators, agents, and salvage companies must take immediate steps to clear their wrecks or face penalties, including recovery and cost claims by the government.
According to LiMA, several derelict vessels have remained unattended within Liberian waters for years, posing serious safety and environmental hazards. “These apparently abandoned wrecks pose imminent danger to navigation and increase the risk of marine pollution,” the notice read.
The Authority emphasized that the accumulation of wrecks within port basins has also hindered berthing operations, leading to “under-utilization of port facilities and a corresponding loss of revenue” to the National Port Authority.
All claims or ownership of such wrecks must be filed with the Deputy Commissioner for Vessel Registration and Safety at the Liberia Maritime Authority headquarters on Maritime Drive, Congo Town.
Cllr. Natty B. Davis, Sr., Commissioner and CEO of the Liberia Maritime Authority, signed the directive, stressing the government’s commitment to maintaining safe and navigable waters. “We are taking this action to protect marine safety, preserve the environment, and ensure efficient use of our port infrastructure,” LiMA noted.
With the deadline looming, the Authority has warned that any wrecks not removed by the specified date will be treated as abandoned property and cleared at the owner’s expense.
