LiMA Shares Maritime Expertise With Eswatini -Weeklong Visit Targets Ship Registry Development

MONROVIA: The Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) is sharing its decades of experience in maritime administration with a high-level delegation from the Kingdom of Eswatini during a weeklong working visit aimed at supporting the Southern African nation’s plans to establish a maritime authority and ship registry.

The engagement is designed to strengthen institutional cooperation and provide Eswatini with practical insights into ship registration, maritime safety oversight, regulatory compliance, human resource development and the management of an internationally competitive maritime programme.
Welcoming the delegation, LiMA Director of International Affairs, Atty. Darlington Duoe, expressed optimism about the discussions, emphasizing the importance of practical outcomes that could benefit both countries.

LiMA Deputy Commissioner for Domestic Vessel Registration and Safety, John F. Harvey Jr., said, Liberia’s standing in the international shipping industry resulted from decades of institutional development, strategic planning and consistent enforcement of international maritime standards.

He stressed that building a credible ship registry requires more than registering vessels, noting that effective regulatory institutions, strong enforcement mechanisms and adherence to global safety requirements are essential to maintaining international confidence.

According to Harvey, Liberia’s maritime achievements were developed over time through sustained commitment to responsible shipping practices and compliance with international rules and regulations.

Head of the Eswatini delegation, Thulani Mkhaliphi, said, his country was eager to learn from Liberia’s experience as it explores opportunities in the maritime sector.

“Eswatini is a small country, but its size has not hindered our ambitious dream to venture into the maritime sector. We are novices in this sector, which is why we are excited about the opportunity this working visit provides,” Mkhaliphi said.

He explained that the delegation was seeking to understand the legal, technical and human resource requirements for developing a responsible maritime industry that complements Eswatini’s broader economic objectives.

“We are here to understand the legal, technical, and human resource requirements for building a responsible and vibrant maritime sector that would complement our existing ambitious economic programs as a small nation sandwiched between South Africa and Mozambique,” he added.

The visit also featured a presentation by LiMA Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Desire Satia, who outlined the history of Liberia’s maritime programme, tracing its development from the 1940s and highlighting key institutional milestones that helped establish the country as the world’s largest ship registry by gross tonnage.

Satia’s presentation offered the delegation insights into the policies, strategic decisions and administrative structures that have shaped Liberia’s maritime sector over several decades.

Beyond ship registration, the discussions are expected to cover the legal, financial, administrative and technical foundations required to establish and manage a maritime authority effectively.

The exchange underscores LiMA’s role in sharing Liberia’s maritime experience with countries seeking to strengthen their shipping capabilities.

It also provides an opportunity for both nations to identify areas for future cooperation in institutional development, regulatory oversight and maritime capacity-building.

For Eswatini, the visit represents an opportunity to draw lessons from Liberia’s experience as it considers the structures and safeguards needed for responsible participation in the international shipping industry.