House Considers Boakai-Backed Maritime Conventions to Strengthen International Compliance
The Plenary of the House of Representatives has commenced deliberations on a set of international maritime conventions forwarded by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., in what is being viewed as a strategic push to reinforce Liberia’s compliance with global maritime standards and strengthen its standing within the international shipping community. The matter was brought before plenary following a formal communication from the President, prompting lawmakers to mandate the House Maritime Committee to undertake a detailed review of the proposed instruments and report back within the statutory timeframe.
Z. Benjamin Keibah
Monrovia, Liberia: The Plenary of the House of Representatives has commenced deliberations on a set of international maritime conventions forwarded by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., in what is being viewed as a strategic push to reinforce Liberia’s compliance with global maritime standards and strengthen its standing within the international shipping community.
The matter was brought before plenary following a formal communication from the President, prompting lawmakers to mandate the House Maritime Committee to undertake a detailed review of the proposed instruments and report back within the statutory timeframe.
In his communication, President Boakai underscored the strategic importance of the initiative, stating, “These international instruments are critical to Liberia’s maritime development and will significantly enhance our standing as a leading maritime nation.”
One of the key instruments under consideration is the 2010 Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) Convention, which establishes an international legal framework governing liability and compensation in incidents involving the maritime transport of dangerous and toxic materials.
The proposal highlights the Convention’s victim-centered protection mechanism, noting that “The Convention provides adequate protection for victims, including compensation for loss of life, personal injury, property damage, and environmental harm.”
The communication further explained the financial structure of the Convention, emphasizing a shared liability model designed to ensure accountability and compensation efficiency. It stated, “It further emphasized that the treaty introduces “a two-tier compensation system that ensures shipowners bear primary responsibility, while an international fund mechanism provides additional financial coverage where necessary.”
Lawmakers are also reviewing Resolution A.1152(32) of the International Maritime Organization, adopted in December 2021, which seeks to reform and modernize the governance structure of the IMO Council.
According to President Boakai, “the resolution… seeks to modernize the structure and operations of the IMO Council, expand representation, and enhance decision-making efficiency in global maritime governance.”
In addition, the House is examining the United Nations Convention on the International Effects of Judicial Sales of Ships, a legal instrument designed to harmonize international recognition of judicial ship sales and strengthen certainty in maritime commerce.
On its importance, the President noted, “This Convention will provide legal certainty to ship purchasers, protect legitimate buyers and financiers, and facilitate smoother maritime trade and investment.”
President Boakai further urged swift legislative action, warning that “delays in ratification could hinder Liberia’s ability to fully benefit from evolving international maritime standards.”
Following the communication, the House formally mandated its Maritime Committee to conduct a comprehensive review of all submitted instruments and present its findings to plenary for further legislative action.
