Tarnue M Kpangbala, manager of the Certification Department at Liberian Registry headquarters, is a busy man. And he is particularly busy right now.

Part of Tarnue’s job is to issue anything up to 9,000 certificates relating to only 3 specific IMO conventions – and the busiest time for that is between December and February, with the real peak occurring between January and 20 February, the annual renewal date for most of the world’s P&I insurance.

Between 800 and 1,000 of those certificates relate to the Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage 1992(CLC), while anywhere between 3,500 and 4,000 relate to the Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage 2001(BCLC), and the same number to the Convention on the Removal of Wrecks 2007 (WRC).

In order to demonstrate compliance with the Bunker Convention, a P&I Club Blue Card or other evidence of insurance or financial security cover for CLC/BCLC and WRC is required. The P&I Club or other insurer issuing the Blue Card/evidence of insurance must be recognized by the Liberian Administration. Certificates are usually valid for one year from 20 February.

Tarnue joined the Liberian Registry in January 2014. He and his team of five dedicated staff issue certificates both for vessels registered in Liberia and for non-Liberian-flagged vessels registered in states that are not yet a party to the relevant conventions. They use Liberia’s WayPoint online system to record the certifications.

Tarnue says, “We normally delegate special tasks to team members, so that everyone knows what to handle during the renewal period. Most clients use WayPoint to submit their applications, which are reviewed and processed by our team, prior to certificates being emailed to clients.

“The thing that makes both Liberian and non-Liberian clients keep coming back to us is our reliable online WayPoint system and the team’s ability to provide same-day service. This gives Liberia the edge over other administrations. The efficiency of the system speaks volumes for the technological proficiency of the Liberian Registry.”

Pictured: Tarnue M Kpangbala, Manager of Certifications