Satellite Technology Helps Ships Stay Out of Trouble

The Compliance Assistance Program (CAP) developed by the Liberian Registry which is also satellite based, has developed a plan to ensure regulatory compliance and prevent detentions in some of the world’s most active Port State Control (PSC) areas.

The CAP tracks ships when they have entered various jurisdictions. Once tracking starts the registries risk analysis team can perform detailed reviews of vessels, including their history, and the ports at which they are calling.

This vast analysis done by the risk analysis team concludes that Liberian vessels have experienced a decrease in detentions in heavily trafficked PSC regions such as China.

Once the CAP analysis is complete, this data supplements the existing electronic services already provided by Liberia and is part of an extensive program which has adopted a uniquely proactive approach to ensuring that any ships that are flying the Liberian flag are properly prepared for their upcoming port calls, and that any possible deficiencies are handled well prior to entering the port. 

Liberia was statistically confirmed to have the best detention rate among the largest major flag states according to the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Scott Bergeron, CEO of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR) was quoted as saying “The Compliance Assistance Program is just the latest in a series of technological innovations designed to make Liberia the safest and most efficient fleet afloat. Other examples of the registry’s pioneering approach to technology include the introduction of the online filing of seafarer credentials, enabling owners to save tens of thousands of dollars each year and streamlining the turnaround time for issuing seafarer documents,”

Bergeron had also added that Liberia has also done some great work in creating an online application system that allows the Liberian-flag owners and managers, as well as those from other non-party states, to be able to receive their Wreck Removal Certificates without any further delay through the Liberian Registry’s online portal.