Liberia updates Advisory on the use of Private Marine Security Companies

Liberia Maritime Authority has revised Marine Security Advisory 03/2011 on the use of Private Marine Security Companies (PMSC) providing privately contracted armed and unarmed security personnel onboard Liberian registered ships.

To ensure that the private companies and personnel protecting Liberian registered ships from piracy are properly regulated, commencing September 1 2022, all PMSC providing security personnel on Liberian registered ships shall apply for assessment and an authorization document from the Liberian Administration prior to their employment on board.

Liberian registered ships must only use PMSC that have been authorized by the Liberian Administration. Shipowners/Operators using an authorized PMSC are not required to obtain any authorization letter from the Administration for carriage of privately contracted armed or unarmed security personnel on board, unless required by port or coastal States.

Shipowners/Operators intending to use a PMSC that is not authorized by the Administration will require that the PMSC apply for assessment and authorization.

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS:

MSA 09/2022 - Use of Private Marine Security Companies (PMSC) providing privately contracted armed and unarmed security personnel onboard on Liberian registered ships