Liberia to Host the 17th Port State Control Committee Meeting of the Abuja MoU and the 4th Bureau Meeting of Ministers and Commissioners Responsible for Maritime Affairs
Liberia will host in 2027 the 17th Port State Control Committee Meeting of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding, as well as the 4th Bureau Meeting of Ministers and Commissioners Responsible for Maritime Affairs. The decision was taken following meetings held in Gabon.
Liberia has been designated to host next year the 17th Port State Control Committee Meeting of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding, which will bring together Directors General and Heads of Port State Control. The country will also host the 4th Bureau Meeting of Ministers and Commissioners Responsible for Maritime Affairs.
The decision was taken following the 16th Port State Control Committee Meeting and the 6th Ministerial Conference of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding, held in Gabon.
Strengthening Port State Control in the Region
The Abuja Memorandum of Understanding provides a regional framework for cooperation that enables maritime authorities in West and Central Africa to coordinate their Port State Control activities and harmonize ship inspection procedures.
Port State Control (PSC) enables the authorities of a port State to verify that foreign ships calling at its ports comply with applicable international requirements relating to safety, security, environmental protection and working conditions on board.
Through this regional cooperation, the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding aims, among other things, to strengthen maritime safety standards and contribute to the elimination of substandard shipping practices and the operation of ships that do not meet the required international standards.
The Memorandum currently has 22 member States, mainly coastal countries in West and Central Africa.
Liberia Represented at the Meetings in Gabon
During the meetings held in Gabon, Liberia was represented by John F. Harvey, Deputy Commissioner for Ship Registration and Safety at the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), as well as Emmanuel M. Dolakeh, Director of Safety Inspections, Surveys and Audits.
The participation of these officials demonstrates Liberia’s engagement in regional mechanisms for cooperation on maritime control and safety.
An Upcoming Meeting in Liberia
Hosting these upcoming meetings in Liberia will provide the country with an opportunity to further strengthen Liberia’s position as a major maritime State in West and Central Africa. It will also provide the country with a platform to advance regional cooperation, promote effective Port State Control and contribute to combating maritime activities that do not comply with international standards.
It also highlights Liberia’s growing role in shaping regional maritime policies and strengthening safety standards within Africa’s maritime industry.
