SHAM EL SHEIKH – The Commissioner General of Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) Lenn Eugene Nagbe has called for rapid negotiations to address global greenhouse gas emissions amidst the climate change crisis across the globe.
Commissioner Nagbe said the key role the maritime industry plays in the fight against climate change needs no emphasis, noting that there are more than 50,000 merchant ships transporting various goods between 150 nations and manned by more than a million international seafarers.
Speaking at the Global COP27 conference in Sham El Sheikh, Egypt on Monday November 7, 2022, Commissioner Nagbe said like all other industries, shipping does not come without an environmental price, citing that the industry accounts for a significant fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions.
“As a major ship registry nation and a developing country, Liberia remains dedicated to implementing the many technical, operational and design measures that have been put in place by the International Maritime Organization and other organizations for ensuring decarbonization and the reduction of greenhouse gas emission from shipping. On the global level, Liberia supports various efforts on climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, including the Green Shipping Challenge,” the Commissioner asserted.
According to the LiMA boss, Liberians are glad that the world now has a much clearer understanding of the extent of the climate crisis, with scientific advancement.
He added that the world is better prepared to fully understand the science behind climate change, and assess its negative impacts, and to develop tools to address these problems when working together.
The Commissioner intoned that the Green Shipping Challenge therefore provides a unique platform for concrete actions as LiMA reaffirms Liberia’s full commitment to the initiative.
“I am honored to participate in this important gathering that focuses on the contribution of the Maritime sector to the global fight against climate change, this potentially gloomy situation can however be averted through concerted actions
The Maritime boss cited that following several reports, and after the COP26 conference in Glasgow, the onus is now on actors in the sector to act rapidly if they are to meet the 1.5-degree goal.
“Build our resilience, and enhance our capacity to adapt. We must now move from negotiation to implementation” the LiMA top notch said.
Nagbe added that it is against this backdrop that the Liberian ship registry continues to play a leading role in green shipping initiatives and finding emission reduction solutions for ship-owners.
He emphasized that since 2016, Liberia has been actively involved with Joint Design Projects (JDPs) and our involvement is steadily increasing. Over the last three (3) years.
The LiMA Chief Executive added that Liberia has participated in over thirty (30) JIPs/JDPs, citing that Liberians expect the process to further increase until the country developed and approved the zero-emission vessels (ZEVs) of the future.
The Liberian official narrated that by the end of 2022, the Liberian flagged fleet will be about 5,600 vessels of various kinds, which will generate approximately 14% total global shipping CO2 emissions (833 million ton as per Lloyd’s list report).
He furthered that Liberia hereby announces that by the end of year 2024, 70% – 80% of the Liberian Fleet will be CII Compliant, adding that it is time for them to start taking the necessary steps to assist those in need of support, and find the appropriate formula that would ensure the availability of the requisite means of implementation that are needed for developing countries in making their contributions to this global effort. LINA
