Published: October 21, 2026
Neto Zarzar Lighe Sr. called for stronger international cooperation to protect seafarers and reaffirmed Liberia’s maritime partnership with China at the North Bund Forum in Shanghai.
SHANGHAI, China — Governments and international partners must take concrete steps to protect seafarers from violence, piracy, harassment and other threats, Liberia’s top maritime official told a global shipping forum in Shanghai, where he also reaffirmed Liberia’s maritime partnership with China.
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Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe Sr., commissioner and CEO of the Liberia Maritime Authority, made the appeal at the 6th North Bund Forum. He called seafarers the backbone of global trade and the maritime industry.
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“Protecting seafarers is not merely a maritime obligation; it is a global responsibility that demands our collective commitment and action,” Lighe said.
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He said protecting seafarers’ lives and welfare requires sustained cooperation among flag states, port states, coastal states, shipowners, and others across international shipping, and he urged governments to uphold maritime laws and conventions.
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Lighe called China a trusted partner of Liberia, pointing to the long diplomatic and economic relationship between the two countries. He said continued cooperation matters in maritime transport, shipping security, environmental protection and capacity-building.
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“China remains a true and trusted partner of Liberia,” Lighe said. He added that cooperation between the two countries continues to serve their shared interests and the growth of international trade.
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He named the Liberia-China Maritime Transport Agreement and the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control cooperation as the main instruments of the bilateral maritime relationship. He also highlighted ongoing cooperation in the International Maritime Organization and other international platforms on Port State Control inspections, capacity-building, and the recognition of seafarers’ certificates and licenses.
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Lighe thanked China for its support during the December 2025 IMO Council election, in which both Liberia and China were elected to Category A of the council.
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He said bilateral partnerships and multilateral institutions must work together on the increasingly complex challenges facing global shipping. He described the IMO as the main international framework for issues requiring collective action, including vessel safety, marine pollution prevention, seafarer training, maritime security, and decarbonization.
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Effective multilateral cooperation, Lighe said, ensures that international maritime rules and standards reflect the interests of all states, including small and developing countries, and promotes inclusion, legitimacy and shared responsibility.
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He also thanked China’s Ministry of Transport and the Shanghai Municipal Government for their continued engagement with Liberia and for hosting a platform for international dialogue on trends in global shipping.
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The Liberia Maritime Authority oversees Liberia’s maritime interests, including administering the Liberian maritime program and representing the country in international maritime affairs.
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