Marine Advisory - 04/2023 - Authorization to Recognized Organizations to Approve Shipboard Plans and Manuals

Oct 23, 2026

Uploaded by ahduag

Liberia Maritime Authority issues Marine Advisory 04/2023 establishing the policy for authorizing Recognized Organizations (ROs) to review and approve shipboard plans and manuals. The advisory provides guidance for port authorities, shipowners, operators, inspectors, and masters, referencing applicable IMO instruments under SOLAS and MARPOL. It lists delegated documents, including ballast water, cargo securing, NOx technical file, ODMC operational manual, SOPEP/SMPEP, structure access, transfer operations, and VOC management, and directs inquiries to the authority’s contact details.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Purpose

Background

Guidance

Delegated shipboard plans and manuals

Contact and questions

THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA LIBERIA MARITIME AUTHORITY 22980 Indian Creek Drive Suite 200 Dulles, Virginia 20166, USA Tel: +1 703 790 3434 Fax: +1 703 790 5655 [Email: ](Email: Regsandstandards@liscr.com)[Regsandstandards@liscr.com](Email: Regsandstandards@liscr.com) [Web: www.liscr.com](Web: www.liscr.com) Office of Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs 06 March, 2023 Marine Advisory: 04/2023 Subject: Authorization to Recognized Organizations to Approve Shipboard Plans and Manuals Reference: (a) FAL.2/Circ.133; MEPC.1/Circ.902; MSC.1/Circ.1646; LEG.2/Circ.4 To: Port Authorities/Shipowners/Operators/Inspectors/Masters: Purpose The purpose of this Marine Advisory is to provide guidance t o p ort authorities, shipowners, operators, inspectors and masters of the Liberian Administration’s policy for approving shipboard plans and manuals. Background IMO Conventions and Codes require ships to carry certain shipboard plans and manuals approved by the Administration. Regulation 1 of SOLAS Chapter XI-1, regulation 6.3.1 of MARPOL Annex I, regulation 8.2.1 of MARPOL Annex II and regulation 5.3.1 of MARPOL Annex VI permit Administrations to entrust shipboard plan and manual approvals to its Recognized Organizations ROs. Guidance In addition to the Liberian Administration, ROs have been delegated the authority to review and approve certain shipboard plans and manuals which comply with the provisions of applicable International Conventions, to which Liberia is a Party or which it has implemented. The list of shipboard plans and manuals delegated to ROs for approval includes but isnot limited to the following: 1. Ballast Water Management Plan (Not delegated to RO after 21 April 2017) 2. Bulk Carrier Booklet (endorsed by RO); 3. Cargo Securing Manual; 4. Document of Approval for Rate of Sewage Discharge; 5. Liquified Gas Carrier Cargo Operations Manual; 6. NOx Technical File; 7. Oil Discharge Monitoring and Control (ODMC) Operational Manual; 8. Proceduresand Arrangements Manual; 9. Stability Information and Loading Information; 10. Shipboard Oil Pollution Plan (SOPEP); 11. Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan for Noxious Liquid Substances; 12. Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan (SMPEP); 13. Ship Structure Access Manual; 14. Ship to Ship Transfer Operations Plan; 15. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Management Plan. Additional plans/manuals are included in reference (a) . Questions regarding this instruction should be referred to [RegsandStandards@liscr.com](RegsandStandards@liscr.com) or you may call +1-703-790-3434. * * * * *

FAQs

What is the purpose of Marine Advisory 04/2023?

It provides guidance on the Liberian Administration’s policy for approving shipboard plans and manuals through Recognized Organizations.

Which parties are instructed to follow this advisory?

Port authorities, shipowners, operators, inspectors, and masters of the Liberian Administration.

Which types of shipboard plans and manuals are delegated to Recognized Organizations for approval?

The advisory lists multiple delegated items, including ballast water management (with an exception after 21 April 2017), cargo securing, NOx technical file, ODMC operational manual, SOPEP/SMPEP, ship structure access, ship-to-ship transfer operations, and VOC management plan.

Oct 23, 2026

Uploaded by ahduag