Lighe Leads IMO Delegation -LMA Chief Heads Delegation in London

By The Analyst News On Nov 3, 2026 1

MONROVIA – Liberia runs the world’s largest shipping registry by gross tonnage. That size brings Liberia both clout and exposure. This week, LMA Commissioner Neto Zarzar Lighe carries that weight into the 138th IMO Council session in London. His agenda could not be more urgent. Liberian-flagged vessels have faced unprovoked attacks around the Strait of Hormuz and the Black Sea. The safety of seafarers and freedom of navigation now sit at the center of Liberia’s maritime diplomacy. The country holds a Category A seat on the IMO Council. That gives Monrovia a real voice in shaping global shipping rules. As THE ANALYST reports, Lighe’s task is to turn registry dominance into protection for crews at sea.

The Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LMA), Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., 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 November 2–6, 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.

Attacks on Liberian-Flagged Ships

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, Lighe emphasized that the protection and security of vital international shipping lanes, including the safety and welfare of seafarers, remain paramount concerns for Liberia, especially where Liberian-flagged 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,” 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.