The Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LMA), Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe is leading a high-level Liberian delegation to the 138th Session of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), taking place in London from 2–6 November 2026.
The five-day Council session will deliberate on a range of critical global maritime issues, including maritime security, the protection of vital international shipping lanes, the safety and welfare of seafarers, freedom of navigation, and strengthening maritime cooperation among IMO Member States.
Commissioner Lighe is expected to deliver Liberia’s positions on these important matters, reaffirming the country’s unwavering commitment to safe, secure, sustainable, and efficient international shipping.
In a statement issued on Sunday evening by the Liberia Permanent Mission to the IMO, Commissioner Lighe, Sr. emphasized the protection and the security of vital international shipping lanes, including the safety and welfare of seafarers remain paramount concerns for Liberia, especially where Liberian Flag ships continue to experience unprovoked attacks in and around the Strait of Hormuz and the Black Sea.
“The safety and protection of seafarers and the security of international shipping lanes are matters of critical national importance to Liberia. As a leading maritime nation, Liberia will continue to champion these principles and advocate for stronger international cooperation to safeguard global shipping,” Commissioner Lighe stated.
Liberia, which holds a ‘Category A’ seat on the IMO Council and operates the world’s largest shipping registry by gross tonnage, continues to play a leading and consequential role in shaping global maritime policy and advancing international maritime governance.
