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The two dominant Flag of Convenience registries — RMI (IRI) and Liberia (LISCR) — side by side for shipowners choosing registration + seafarers weighing job offers.
| Criterion | Marshall Islands (RMI) Republic of the Marshall Islands Registry, operated by IRI. | Liberia (LISCR) Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry. |
|---|---|---|
| Registered fleet | ~5,300 vessels | ~4,500 vessels |
| MLC 2006 ratification | Yes, 2011 | Yes, 2006 (first FoC to ratify) |
| Paris MoU rating | White | White |
| Tokyo MoU rating | White | White |
| QUALSHIP 21 recognition | Yes | Yes |
| ITF FoC listed | Yes | Yes |
| Registrar HQ | Reston, Virginia (US) | Dulles, Virginia (US) |
| Officer nationality flexibility | 100% any nationality per STCW I/10 | 100% any nationality per STCW I/10 |
| Sanctions posture (2022+) | Rigorous OFAC compliance | Rigorous OFAC compliance |
| Sector strength | Offshore + LNG carriers | Tankers + bulkers |
Owners in offshore + LNG. Seafarers wanting US-adjacent regulatory environment with strong casualty investigation record.
Owners in the tanker + bulker segments. Seafarers building the mainstream FoC track — LISCR has the deepest African-continent seafarer intake pipeline.
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