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PressReleases 
Articles Liberian Registry Breaks Historic 100m Mark
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
The Liberian Registry passed the historic figure of 100m gt with the christening and delivery of the 50,792 dwt bulk carrier Sanko Mercury in Japan on March 4.
Speaking at the delivery ceremony at the Oshima Shipbuilding Company in Nagasaki, Scott Bergeron, Chief Operating Officer of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), the US-based managers of the Liberian Registry, said, “This is a genuine milestone in ship registry history, and testament to the way in which Liberia has truly become part of the fabric of high-quality modern shipping. Be it classification society, underwriter or flag, very few organisations join the top table of 100,000,000 gross tons, but that is exactly what Liberia has done over a period of years.
“In the past five years alone, the Liberian Registry has grown by 40m gt. That is twice the growth rate claimed by its nearest competitor in terms of total tonnage rankings over the same period, and establishes beyond dispute that Liberia is far and away the fastest growing quality shipping flag in the world.
“Of course size is not everything. But it speaks volumes when a ship register achieves the phenomenal growth which Liberia has posted in recent years and which can still point to an established reputation for maintaining the highest standards for vessels and crews, confirmed by Port State Control and other regulatory authorities.
“Liberia has exceeded its all-time tonnage records by signing up top-quality owners and operators who are attracted by our excellent safety record, our high standards of responsive and cost-effective service, and our proactive approach to problem-solving across all areas of the business. When you are attracting quality owners, especially in a tough market, it makes it easier to attract even more quality owners.”
Bergeron adds, “It is particularly pleasing and appropriate that it should be a Japanese vessel which has taken us over the historic 100m gt mark. Japanese vessels have been registering with Liberia for over forty years. Three years ago, LISCR Japan KK was established as a full-service office in Tokyo. This has been an important factor in the registry’s particularly strong growth in Japan.
During that time, Liberia’s president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, has visited Japan and met with executives from leading Japanese shipping companies, a number of whom have publicly confirmed that, as a result of what they deem to be a good business environment, with clear economic advantages, they expect to see a further increase in Japanese ship registrations with the Liberian Registry.”
About Sanko Mercury
• The Sanko Mercury was built by Oshima Shipbuilding Co Ltd in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, and delivered on March 4, 2010. With nearly forty years’ history behind it, Oshima Shipbuilding specialises in the construction of bulk carriers.
• The Sanko Steamship Company Ltd is one of Japan’s oldest shipping companies, with a history spanning more than seventy years. As a pioneer in shipping, Sanko operates a robust yet diverse fleet of high-quality, high-specification ships with a commitment to providing clients with efficient, safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible service. Sanko Line transports cargo globally for international accounts rather than solely for domestic accounts.
• The Liberian Registry is one of the world’s largest and most active shipping registers, with a long-established track record of combining the highest standards for vessels and crews with the highest standards of responsive service to owners.
