The Liberian Registry, whose host nation is one of those most affected by the Ebola epidemic, has backed International Maritime Organisation, IMO’s recommendation that trade continue unhindered by travel bans.
Last week the IMO petitioned nationa not to limit the free movement of vessels to halt the spread of the virus, citing the “isolation and economic hardship” the countries already faced, citing World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations.
“Liberia supports the IMO recommendations wholeheartedly, and believes that shipping should continue to operate safely and efficiently, and trust to the common sense of owners and charterers in these difficult times,” said ceo of the US-based organisation managing the Liberian Registry, Scott Bergeron.
“A number of shipowners have contacted us to express support for the Liberian people, and some have helped to provide much-needed supplies to affected areas. We will be continuing to co-ordinate more efforts of this kind over the coming weeks,” he added.
Bergeron stressed that, while “deeply saddened at this tragic loss of life”, the Liberian Registry, being based in the US, “its ships and crews, and its operations, are not directly affected by the virus in any way.
“The Liberian Administration has taken every precaution to ensure that the Ebola virus does not affect the Liberian Registry in either an operational or financial sense. The registry is managed from the United States, from where its global operations are administered. It is operating as normal, and continues to offer the first-class service, innovation and financial strength with which it has become synonymous.”
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