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The Liberian Registry has been named as a finalist for the 2015 Ship Efficiency Awards. It has been shortlisted as one of five companies to potentially receive the Initiative of the Year award.

The nomination is in respect of Liberia's Global Eco-Upgrade Financing Programme, an environmental initiative that is designed to help reduce global carbon emissions and to enhance fleet efficiency and competitiveness.

The initiative offers an energy-saving solution for ships on a global basis with an add-on specifically crafted for Emission Control Areas (ECAs). The global programme includes an optimal mix of fuel efficiency retrofit solutions for each target vessel, based on its trading pattern, age, size, speed, and consumption. For ships trading within ECA zones, the programme can include the installation of exhaust scrubber systems or the conversion of engines to LNG dual-fuel, to comply with emissions requirements.

The second annual Ship Efficiency Awards recognise and celebrate the organisations and individuals within the maritime sector that excel in efficient operations, implement fresh thinking and offer proven efficiency benefits and technological innovation. The award ceremony is due to place on September 9 at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London.

Scott Bergeron [pictured], chief executive officer of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), the US-based manager of the registry, commented: "Efficient shipowners and managers in today's highly regulated and ultra-competitive industry need to tick a lot of boxes in order to remain compliant and profitable. They have to be environmentally aware and commercially astute, and responsible ship registers work with good owners towards achieving those objectives. That is what the Liberian Registry has done with its Global Eco-Upgrade Financing Programme. This nomination confirms that Liberia is determined to remain the greenest fleet afloat."