Is Maritime Commissioner Cllr. Neto Z. Lighe Changing the narrative through innovative leadership?

With almost a year at the helm of the Liberian maritime authority, Commissioner Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe and his team of deputies are gradually transforming the nation’s blue economy through astute and innovative leadership. From the Pacific Ocean over to the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean, the sailing vessels that carry the Liberian flag are visible, thus placing Liberia to be the world’s largest maritime country in 2025.
This couldn’t have happened in the absence of creating a viable maritime program that promotes and sustains economic growth and reduces unemployment.
It would interest you to know that the wording of Commissioner Cllr. Lighe at the Liberian Senate confirmation hearing on March 7, 2024, continued to translate into deeds. On that Thursday afternoon, he told the Senators that: “Liberia understands the importance of collaboration in the maritime industry, especially with a global major maritime player and new markets like China, Brazil, and India, so what we intend to do is to continue to engage at the bilateral level.”
He informed the Senate that plans to attract more vessels from the rapidly expanding Chinese merchant fleet indicate the country’s commitment to maintaining its status as a top player in the global shipping sector and one of the world’s largest ship registries.
Months later, Liberia and the People’s Republic of China signed a Maritime Transport Agreement after high-level talks with the Liberia Maritime Authority.
That signing ceremony in Beijing marked a significant milestone in the partnership between China and Liberia through maritime transport. As the two countries underscored the importance of maritime transport for their socio-economic development and affirmed their commitment to strengthening ties in this sector; the strategic partnership is expected to not only strengthen the LiMA’s credibility but also position Liberia as a key player in maritime on the global stage.
We are aware that such agreements often bring resources, expertise, and best practices from more established maritime nations, which can play a key role in shaping the discussions surrounding the proposed maritime university’s curricula and training programs of the future.
From every indication, the changes currently being made at LiMA and through the LMTI are not just aimed at improving its status; they represent a broader commitment to increasing opportunities for Liberians in the maritime sector.
It is crystal clear that Liberia’s quest for a seat on the World Ocean Council marks a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its ocean capabilities and increase its influence on the global stage. This commendable move was not surprising, as the transformative and innovative leadership guiding Liberia’s Blue Economy has laid a solid foundation towards this goal.
The country’s strategic focus on ocean development and efforts to expand training opportunities in the sector demonstrates that it is both a laudable and necessary initiative for the country’s economic growth.
Importantly, Liberia’s acquisition of a seat on the World Maritime Council and transformation of the LMTI are closely linked to the country’s broader blue economic strategy. The maritime sector from a technical perspective has the potential to contribute significantly to the country’s GDP, create jobs, and promote sustainable development. And Liberia would be well-positioned to capitalize on these opportunities through its focus on education and international partnerships.
Furthermore, increased participation in global maritime governance, through Cllr. Lighe’s innovative leadership could lead to improved trade relations and access to international markets.
It is not a secret that retaining its seat at the World Maritime Council would provide Liberia with a better and more unique platform to represent its interests, share experiences, and learn from other countries. This effort is essential to sail across the complexities of global maritime laws and regulations that often stand as an obstacle to small nations realizing the full potential of their oceans.
Let’s not forget that in a country where youth unemployment remains a serious issue, expanding educational opportunities at LMTI could have a significant impact on local communities. Young people will be equipped with the skills they need to succeed in the maritime industry, and the leadership at the LiMA through the LMTI is not only addressing an immediate economic need but also investing in the long-term sustainability of Liberia’s blue economy.
Notwithstanding, Liberia’s maritime sector is a historically important industry due to its abundant coastal resources and strategic location on major shipping routes. The leadership’s vision to leverage these assets through comprehensive policy frameworks and innovative practices is reminiscent of best practices worldwide. This forward-thinking approach would establish more national and international partnerships aimed at improving maritime governance and developing the country’s maritime infrastructure.
Commissioner Lighe also spoke of plans to improve the country’s maritime training academy by providing opportunities to cadres on vessels flying the Liberian flag including personnel of the authority.
Central to this transformational journey is the Liberia Maritime Training Institute (LMTI). Under the leadership’s innovative vision, LMTI’s broader vision as stated earlier is to evolve into a university specializing in maritime studies. This transition expected in the future is a critical step in developing a highly skilled workforce to meet the needs of the maritime industry. The CEO’s commitment to this transformation shows that he recognizes the importance of education to economic development.
Moreover, Liberia, the world’s leading Open Registry, boasts a strong reputation as the second-largest contributor to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) budget, averaging 13% annually for over twenty years.
The country’s contributions are expected to rise in 2025, following its designation as the largest Registry in August 2023, with a gross registered tonnage exceeding 257 million, as member dues to the IMO are based on gross registered tonnage.
However, notable programs were held over the last 10 months aimed at creating more visibility of happenings at the Liberian Maritime Authority. These activities showcase the maritime we heard about in the past and the institution we know about today.
It can be recalled that the country celebrated a historic milestone with the first graduation of certified marine engineer officers in Marshall City, Margibi. That ceremony was a landmark achievement for Liberias maritime sector, as 13 graduates became the nation’s first certified Marine Engineer Officers thus, marking a new chapter in the countrys global maritime prominence.
Indeed, transformation cannot take place in the absence of transparency and accountability, that is why, a recent audit of Liberias flag state regime was conducted in the United States, thus enhancing credibility at the institution. From hosting the final stakeholders workshop which validated the National Blue Economy to exploring new partnerships with the European Union (EU) aimed at enhancing port safety and security in the country. The institution's proposed project is also expected to focus on building Liberias capacity in cybersecurity, handling dangerous goods, and enhancing Port State Control personnel capabilities, including key areas identified by LiMA as critical to maintaining the countrys maritime security. Also, a gathering recently brought together maritime leaders from the five founding member states: Cameroon, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone and they discussed key strategies for advancing the regions maritime sector.
Additionally, a training in collaboration with the gateway to Liberia’s economy, the NPA was held in October and it was geared towards strengthening Liberia`s collaboration with international partners to mitigate environmental risks and enhance national capacity for spill prevention and response.
We recalled some of the wording at his confirmation hearing on Thursday, March 7, 2024, when Cllr. Commissioner Lighe told the Senate Committee on Maritime that the government “must be deliberate about supporting and developing coastal transportation, inland water transportation network, and ship bunkering services, dry-docking and ship support services, ship demolition, and recycling.”
With these, we hope that more transformation will continue at the Liberian Maritime Authority in the next few months.
About the Author: Nicholas D. Nimley, holds a Master’s in Communications and Media Studies from Renmin University of China. Not only is he a Liberian journalist, but he’s also a Communication Expert, an international double award-winning developmental journalist, and a Public Affairs Diplomat. He’s an internationally certified academic researcher: He can be contacted: at nimleynicholasd@gmail.com, or nicholasnimleyd@ruc.edu.cn Cell#s+231776586433 or +8615101695212