Monrovia – Liberia has achieved another historic milestone in global shipping, becoming the first ship registry in the world to surpass 300 million gross tons (GT) in fleet size, further cementing its position as the world’s leading maritime registry.
Administered by the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR), the Liberian Ship Registry reached 307.3 million gross tons as of June 8, according to international maritime data provider Clarksons.
The achievement marks a significant expansion of Liberia’s influence in the global maritime sector. In June 2023, Liberia overtook Panama to become the world’s largest ship registry by gross tonnage, ending the Latin American nation’s three-decade dominance of the industry, which had lasted since 1993. At the time, Liberia’s fleet stood at 246.5 million gross tons.
Today, the Liberian Ship Registry accounts for approximately 17 percent of the global fleet, with 6,092 vessels sailing under the Liberian flag, according to industry figures from IHS.
The Registry’s continued growth has been driven largely by strong demand from shipowners and a substantial increase in newbuilding registrations. Over the past two years, Liberia has emerged as the preferred flag for new vessels, accounting for 28 percent of global newbuilding gross tonnage.
The Registry has also recorded a robust 9.3 percent growth in fleet tonnage between June 2025 and June 2026, highlighting its expanding appeal within the international shipping community.
Commenting on the achievement, LISCR Chief Executive Officer Alfonso Castillero credited the Registry’s workforce and the confidence of shipowners around the world.
“This milestone belongs to every member of the Registry’s team. Our people, across every office, in every time zone, in every discipline, show up every single day with a commitment to our clients and to the standards that make this registry what it is,” Castillero said.
“Behind every gross tonne is a vessel, and behind every vessel is a shipowner who chose to trust us. That trust is something we never take for granted, and it is the team that earns it, day after day,” he added.
The latest record underscores Liberia’s growing prominence in global maritime commerce and reinforces the country’s status as a major player in international shipping despite its relatively small geographic size.
