Liberia has called for a fair, inclusive and equitable global transition to green shipping, stressing that developing countries must receive adequate financing, technology transfer and technical support to ensure they are not left behind in international efforts to reduce maritime emissions.
The call was made by Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe Sr., during the 6th North Bund Forum held at Shanghai Maritime University in the People’s Republic of China.
Addressing maritime industry leaders, policymakers and academics, Lighe outlined Liberia’s position on maritime decarbonization and the challenges developing countries face in adapting to emerging environmental standards.
He noted that green shipping is rapidly becoming the benchmark for assessing ships, ports, fuels and maritime technologies across the globe.
While Liberia supports international efforts to reduce carbon emissions from the shipping sector, he emphasized that the transition must be pursued in a manner that recognizes the economic realities and developmental needs of poorer nations.
“Liberia broadly supports the transition to green shipping,” Lighe said, reaffirming the country’s commitment to protecting the marine environment and contributing to global climate action.
However, he cautioned that maritime decarbonization should be guided by the principles of climate justice, equitable development and common but differentiated responsibilities. According to him, developing countries require predictable and sustainable support to manage the structural and financial changes demanded by the shift toward greener maritime operations.
Lighe identified several key strategies for reducing emissions in the global shipping industry, including the adoption of alternative and low-carbon fuels, energy-efficient ship technologies, improved operational practices, effective emissions-monitoring systems and investment in modern port infrastructure.
Despite the potential benefits of these measures, he warned that implementation presents significant hurdles for many developing countries.
Among the major challenges, he cited limited access to affordable alternative fuels, inadequate financing opportunities, restricted access to advanced technologies and insufficient infrastructure to support the use of cleaner energy sources.
The LiMA Commissioner highlighted fuels such as methanol, ammonia and hydrogen as promising options for the maritime sector’s energy transition. However, he stressed that their widespread adoption would require robust safety standards, technical expertise, specialized vessels and reliable bunkering infrastructure.
He further noted that the environmental value of alternative fuels must be measured not only by their use but also by how they are produced, emphasizing the importance of assessing lifecycle emissions throughout the fuel supply chain.
To address these challenges, Lighe called for practical financing mechanisms, expanded technology transfer programs and targeted capacity-building initiatives to enable developing countries to participate effectively in the transition to sustainable shipping.
He also emphasized that green shipping cannot be achieved through regulations and technology alone. Instead, he said, success would depend on stronger international cooperation, coordinated policy frameworks and sustained investments in maritime infrastructure, education and workforce development.
Highlighting the need for accountability, Lighe underscored the importance of reliable emissions monitoring, reporting and verification systems. He pointed to the International Maritime Organization’s Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), as well as the European Union’s Monitoring, Reporting and Verification framework, as important tools in advancing emissions management and improving vessel efficiency.
At the same time, he acknowledged that developing countries would require trained personnel, dependable data systems and stronger institutional capacity to effectively implement such regulatory requirements.
Lighe further called for regulatory certainty across the maritime industry, arguing that clear and coordinated international rules are vital to encouraging investment, driving innovation and preventing fragmentation within the global shipping sector.
“No country should be left behind,” he declared, warning that the global push toward decarbonization must not deepen existing inequalities or place disproportionate burdens on nations with limited financial and technical resources.
As one of the world’s leading ship registries, Liberia remains committed to constructive engagement in international discussions aimed at advancing green shipping and maritime decarbonization, he said.
Lighe reaffirmed LiMA’s commitment to promoting the safe adoption of emerging maritime fuels and technologies while working closely with shipowners and operators under the Liberian flag to ensure compliance with international standards.
He also identified governments, international organizations, academic institutions, research centers, financiers and technology providers as critical partners in developing the expertise and solutions needed for the industry’s transformation.
Concluding his address, Lighe described the transition to green shipping as both a challenge and an opportunity to modernize maritime transport, foster innovation and strengthen environmental protection.
He stressed that success would ultimately depend on global cooperation, knowledge sharing and the fair distribution of both the responsibilities and benefits of decarbonization.
“For Liberia,” he said, “the goal is to advance a greener, safer and more sustainable shipping industry while respecting the legitimate development aspirations and circumstances of all nations.”
