Dar es Salaam: TANZANIA has taken a bold step toward becoming a regional maritime powerhouse after signing a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Liberia today, aimed at deepening cooperation in ship registration, seafarer training, and maritime governance.
The landmark agreement is being hailed as a game-changer for Africa’s blue economy, as Liberia’s expertise as a global leader in ship registration and compliance oversight provides Tanzania with a unique opportunity to strengthen its own international ship registry and maritime workforce.
Liberia, which recently overtook Panama in ship registration tonnage, brings decades of experience in global shipping, technical oversight, and participation in the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Through the MOU, Tanzanian officials and seafarers will benefit from exchange programs, technical training, and professional certification opportunities, enabling them to operate on vessels registered under Liberia’s flag.
On behalf of Commissioner Zaza Lai, Wilmot Kpadeh, Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the IMO, described the agreement as a historic milestone.
This MOU lays the foundation for a legacy that future generations of the two countries can build on, since Africa currently supplies only 4 percent of the global 1.9 million seafarers, despite its vast coastline. Together, they will train, certify, and empower a new generation of African maritime professionals.
The partnership also opens doors for Tanzania to leverage Liberia’s long-standing engagement with the IMO. Although Tanzania is not yet a council member, the collaboration allows it to participate in agenda submissions and policy discussions at the international level.