Liberia Widens Competitive Edge in Global Maritime Space, Retains World’s Top Flag State Position
Liberia continues to consolidate its dominance in the global maritime sector, retaining its position as the world’s largest shipping registry for the third consecutive year and widening its lead over its closest competitor by nearly 45 million gross tons.
According to the respected London-based maritime publication Lloyd’s List, the Liberian registry recorded almost 300 million gross tons (GT) as of November 1, 2025, representing a 3.2 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. The growth further solidifies Liberia’s status as the leading flag state in global shipping.
The Commissioner/CEO of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe Sr. sees this recognition as a call to action to continue to govern the global space with innovation and international best practices that are representative of the largest flag state in the world and a IMO Council Category “A” member state.
Lloyd’s List attributes part of this sustained expansion to the international recognition Liberia received in June 2025 from the U.S.-based pressure group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which commended the registry for operating a “world-class compliance programme.” The commendation followed UANI’s assessment that the Liberian fleet was free of tankers suspected of involvement in illicit oil trading.
Beyond compliance accolades, Liberia has also maintained its standing on the White Lists of both the Paris and Tokyo Memoranda of Understanding on Port State Control. These top-tier rankings, which assess safety performance over a rolling three-year period, reflect Liberia’s strong safety record between 2022 and 2024, the period evaluated in the 2025 rankings.
The publication further noted that the Liberian flag remains one of the most globally visible, flying on nearly every category of vessel and operating in all major maritime regions. This global footprint is reinforced by the fact that 25.24 percent of newly built ships worldwide are registered under the Liberian flag, underscoring the registry’s attractiveness to shipowners.
As of early 2025, Liberia’s registry oversaw more than 286 million GT, accounting for approximately 17 percent of the global shipping market. By the final quarter of the year, the Liberian maritime program had expanded further, culminating in a total fleet size approaching 300 million GT, marking one of the strongest annual growth performances among major registries.
With its continued emphasis on safety, regulatory compliance, and global reach, Liberia’s maritime program remains a cornerstone of the nation’s international standing and a leading force in the global shipping industry.
Source : LiMA
