Liberia and India have unveiled a new initiative aimed at enhancing the safety and security of shipping and seafarers worldwide. The Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers was launched on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This partnership brings together the world's largest ship registry by gross tonnage, Liberia, with one of the largest sources of seafarers, India.
The new group formalizes a relationship that already exists between Liberia and India, with many Liberian-flagged vessels having crews from South Asia. Liberia's Foreign Minister, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, described the launch as a landmark diplomatic and maritime achievement. She emphasized that the global economy relies heavily on the oceans, with over 80 percent of goods carried by sea.
India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, highlighted the need for the group, citing recent attacks on commercial ships in the Gulf, the Red Sea, and the Black Sea. These incidents have resulted in the loss of innocent lives, including those of Indian seafarers. Jaishankar stressed that attacks on civilian shipping that disrupt trade and endanger lives are unacceptable.
The Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers will focus on three key areas: safety of shipping, security of maritime transport, and protection of seafarers. Nyanti outlined the group's objectives, including strict technical standards, vessel compliance, and environmental stewardship. The group will also work to protect commercial sea lanes from piracy, armed attacks, and emerging asymmetric threats.
The partnership between Liberia and India is seen as a natural alliance, given their significant stakes in global shipping. Liberia's maritime registry is a major source of foreign revenue, but many Liberians have questioned how much of that global prestige reaches ordinary citizens. By placing revenue and coastal communities alongside sailors' safety, the government is signaling that it wants maritime diplomacy to deliver at home.
India has brought its own ideas to the table, including a proposal for a Seafarers Emergency Support Network that would link maritime authorities and embassies to handle distress alerts, medical help, family communication, and evacuations. The group will work with members to draft its modalities and terms of reference through a consultative process.
The real test of the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers will be whether it can deliver practical protection for crews. The partnership has the potential to make a significant impact, given the combination of Liberia's flag registration and India's seafarer supply. The group's success will depend on what Monrovia and New Delhi do after the cameras leave New York.
Key points
- The partnership between Liberia and India aims to improve the safety and security of shipping and seafarers globally.
- The Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers will focus on safety of shipping, security of maritime transport, and protection of seafarers.
- The partnership has the potential to deliver practical protection for crews and make a significant impact on the global shipping industry.
