LIBERTY MARITIME CORPORATION
Brief History
Liberty Maritime Corporation (Liberty) was formed in 1988 as the operating entity for various deep sea ocean-going dry bulk carrier vessels owned by Liberty Shipping Group LLC (LSG). Its bulk carrier fleet ranges from 52,000 DWT (2001-2004 built) Handimax ships to 64,000 DWT (1984-1986 built) Panamax bulk carriers. Liberty is one of the largest privately-held independent operators of U.S. flag dry bulk carrier vessels. Its U.S. flag fleet operates in both the preference trades of the United States and the international commercial trades.
Liberty also operates a 2005 built 6,100- Pure Car Truck Carrier (PCTC) vessel demise chartered by its affiliate, Liberty Global Logistics LLC (LGL). Liberty’s PCTC vessel operates under the Maritime Security Program of the United States carrying both commercial cargo as well as US government preference business. Liberty’s affiliates have placed orders for two more PCTC type sistership vessels with Daewoo Shipbuilding in South Korea. Those vessels will be delivered in 2009 and10.
Liberty has developed an international reputation as an outstanding vessel operator and manager. Its staff has diversified expertise in the operation of various types of vessels. Liberty provides quality full service marine management and operational services in an efficient and productive structure.
Liberty also operates a 2005 built 6,100- Pure Car Truck Carrier (PCTC) vessel demise chartered by its affiliate, Liberty Global Logistics LLC (LGL). Liberty’s PCTC vessel operates under the Maritime Security Program of the United States carrying both commercial cargo as well as US government preference business. Liberty’s affiliates have placed orders for two more PCTC type sistership vessels with Daewoo Shipbuilding in South Korea. Those vessels will be delivered in 2009 and10.
Liberty has developed an international reputation as an outstanding vessel operator and manager. Its staff has diversified expertise in the operation of various types of vessels. Liberty provides quality full service marine management and operational services in an efficient and productive structure.
Operational Capability and Experience
Liberty has successfully operated LSG’s U.S. flag dry bulk carrier fleet for the last 20 years. As a result of Liberty’s expertise and operational capability, the LSG bulk carriers have set a new standard for operational reliability and success in the United States government’s food aid preference trades. Its fleet has delivered more than 28,000,000 tons of US origin food aid on over 500 voyages to more than 40 countries around the world.
Liberty maintains its fleet with extraordinary care. This is obvious in all aspects of the Liberty operation, from its outstanding record for dependability and on-time performance to its virtually unblemished insurance record for hull and machinery. All ships under Liberty management are constantly attended in all load and discharge ports. This hands-on management presence helps to ensure the continuity of the marine and commercial operation.
Four of LSG’s bulk carriers are designed for and equipped to carry containers as well. Liberty has on a number of occasions carried containers from points in Europe and the Middle East back to the United States for the U.S. military.
Liberty has other military and liner container experience. In 1989, Liberty created a related entity, Polaris Shipping, Inc., which managed three break bulk/liner vessels on charter to the Military Sealift Command ("MSC") for two years. These vessels were participants in Operation Desert Storm, delivering military equipment, supplies and ammunition to U.S. forces deployed in the Persian Gulf.
The collective experience of the Liberty staff includes managerial and operational experience covering tankers, bulk carriers, OBO’s, tween deckers, container ships, roll on/roll off vessels, and PCTCs as well as ammunition, military sustainment and pre-positioning ships. A number of international banking and financial institutions have utilized Liberty’s services to advise them on the deployment of shipping assets under their control.
The Liberty staff provides a unique blend of expert U.S. flag and foreign flag ship operating experience with vessels of varied types and sizes.
Liberty maintains its fleet with extraordinary care. This is obvious in all aspects of the Liberty operation, from its outstanding record for dependability and on-time performance to its virtually unblemished insurance record for hull and machinery. All ships under Liberty management are constantly attended in all load and discharge ports. This hands-on management presence helps to ensure the continuity of the marine and commercial operation.
Four of LSG’s bulk carriers are designed for and equipped to carry containers as well. Liberty has on a number of occasions carried containers from points in Europe and the Middle East back to the United States for the U.S. military.
Liberty has other military and liner container experience. In 1989, Liberty created a related entity, Polaris Shipping, Inc., which managed three break bulk/liner vessels on charter to the Military Sealift Command ("MSC") for two years. These vessels were participants in Operation Desert Storm, delivering military equipment, supplies and ammunition to U.S. forces deployed in the Persian Gulf.
The collective experience of the Liberty staff includes managerial and operational experience covering tankers, bulk carriers, OBO’s, tween deckers, container ships, roll on/roll off vessels, and PCTCs as well as ammunition, military sustainment and pre-positioning ships. A number of international banking and financial institutions have utilized Liberty’s services to advise them on the deployment of shipping assets under their control.
The Liberty staff provides a unique blend of expert U.S. flag and foreign flag ship operating experience with vessels of varied types and sizes.
Certifications
In 1997, Liberty was certified to be in compliance with the International Safety Management Code ("ISM Code") by the American Bureau of Shipping. Since then our Certification has rapidly adapted to the changes of our fleet We currently hold two Document of Compliance certificates. One Certificate is for the United States of America which covers Bulk Carriers, Containerships and PCTC vessels. The second Certificate issued on behalf of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is to operate Bulk Carriers and Container ships.
In 2005, Liberty decided to formalize the strong environmental standards that have been our hallmark. We proceeded on a program to be certified according to the ISO 14001 environmental standards. The program’s initial targets, particularly for Liquid Waste Management, moved ahead rapidly and surpassing the certification process. The office and the first ships were certified in 2006 with each of the succeeding ships obtaining their ISO 14001 certificates at the time of their ISM audits.
In 2005, Liberty decided to formalize the strong environmental standards that have been our hallmark. We proceeded on a program to be certified according to the ISO 14001 environmental standards. The program’s initial targets, particularly for Liquid Waste Management, moved ahead rapidly and surpassing the certification process. The office and the first ships were certified in 2006 with each of the succeeding ships obtaining their ISO 14001 certificates at the time of their ISM audits.