By By: Staff Writer
Photo: LiMA Commissioner/CEO Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., with Liberia International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR) senior official, Mr. Abraham Avi Zaidenberg.
Liberia has further reinforced its position in the international maritime industry, holding on to its title as the world’s largest shipping registry for the third straight year while extending its advantage over its nearest rival by close to 45 million gross tons.
Data from the London-based maritime authority Lloyd’s List shows that, as of November 1, 2025, vessels flying the Liberian flag totaled nearly 300 million gross tons (GT), reflecting a 3.2 percent increase over the same period in 2024. This steady growth cements Liberia’s place at the top of the global flag state rankings.
Reacting to the achievement, Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) Commissioner and CEO, Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe Sr., described the recognition as a responsibility to continue leading the global maritime space through innovation, sound governance, and adherence to international best practices befitting the world’s largest flag state and an International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council Category “A” member.
Lloyd’s List noted that part of Liberia’s sustained expansion stems from international recognition received in June 2025 from the U.S.-based advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which praised the Liberian registry for maintaining a “world-class compliance program.” The endorsement followed UANI’s finding that Liberia’s fleet did not include tankers suspected of engaging in illicit oil trading.
In addition to compliance recognition, Liberia has preserved its place on the White Lists of both the Paris and Tokyo Memoranda of Understanding on Port State Control. These high-level classifications, based on a three-year rolling assessment of safety performance, highlight Liberia’s strong safety record during the 2022–2024 period reflected in the 2025 rankings.
The publication also observed that the Liberian flag remains among the most visible worldwide, spanning nearly every vessel type and operating across all major maritime corridors. This global presence is further demonstrated by the fact that more than 25 percent of newly constructed ships worldwide are registered under the Liberian flag, signaling strong confidence from international shipowners.
By early 2025, Liberia’s registry managed over 286 million GT—about 17 percent of the world’s total shipping capacity. Continued expansion through the year saw the fleet grow to nearly 300 million GT by the final quarter, marking one of the strongest annual growth rates among leading global registries.
Driven by a continued focus on safety standards, regulatory integrity, and international reach, Liberia’s maritime program remains a key pillar of the country’s global profile and a dominant force in the world shipping industry.
