Liberia forms O&G technology department in response to fleet registry growth

Liberia has established its Offshore and Gas Technology Department, renewing the registry’s focus in these sectors.

The creation of the department strengthens Liberia’s presence in the offshore and gas sectors and is a response to the registry’s growth in 2018.

Liberia, dubbed the fastest growing major open registry in both shipping and offshore, has now formalized its in-house technical and commercial capabilities in the offshore sector with the formal creation of the Department at its U.S. headquarters, comprising members from its global network of industry experts.

This Offshore and Gas Technology Department is headed by Captain Stephen Bomgardner, a consultant with offshore experience as a Master and OIM of drillships. The department includes technical, safety, and registrations personnel and capabilities.

Alfonso Castillero, CCO of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR) and the US-based manager of the Liberian Registry, said: “The reasons for establishing this department are twofold – to service the exacting requirements of our existing offshore clients, and to keep up with the growth we have experienced in the offshore sector with so much demand for the flagging of drillships, rigs, and FPSOs in our registry.”

Liberian-flag fleet growth has reached 9.8% so far this year, far surpassing all other flag states.

“The first half of 2018 has shown what a strong presence the Liberian flag has in the offshore sector, with an increase in market share more than three times that of the next major open registry. This is due in no small measure to the strong fundamental understanding by the registry’s staff – many of whom have practical experience of the offshore industry – of the problems facing this fluctuating sector,” Castillero added.