By By: The People News Online
The Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) has announced five scholarships for Liberians to pursue advanced maritime studies at Shanghai Maritime University in China, as part of its drive to build a skilled workforce for Liberia’s maritime future.
The recipients — three males and two females — were selected through an independent and competitive vetting process and are expected to depart for China on September 9, 2026, to begin their programs.
The scholarships stem from a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2025 between LiMA and Shanghai Maritime University. A core component of the MoU is the provision of scholarship opportunities for talented Liberians to pursue degrees and specialized technical training in the maritime industry.
Shanghai Maritime University is globally recognized as a leading institution in maritime, shipping and transport education, known for producing highly skilled professionals for the international maritime and logistics sectors.
The initiative highlights a critical national issue: Liberia remains one of the world’s largest flag states, yet continues to face a shortage of qualified Liberian professionals with advanced technical expertise to drive the sector’s transformation. For years, the country has relied heavily on foreign expertise to fill high-level technical and managerial roles in its maritime industry.
Under the leadership of Commissioner/CEO Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe Sr., LiMA has placed capacity building, professional training and international partnerships at the heart of its reform agenda. The five scholarships are seen as a deliberate effort to reverse the capacity gap and create a new generation of Liberian maritime experts.
According to LiMA, the investment will go beyond individual benefit. When the students return, their advanced knowledge is expected to strengthen institutional capacity, improve service delivery, and support Liberia’s ambition to maintain its status as a competitive, world-class maritime administration.
