Abstract: | Sections: 1) Introduction; 2) The 'American Centennial Plan' and the establishment of the Liberian flag of convenience; 3) Advantages of the Liberian registry for foreign shipowners; 4) The development of open registries and the beneficial owners; 5) Ship casualties, safety standards and international conventions; 6) Manning requirements - the diversity of nationalities on Liberian vessels; 7) Maritime taxation and national budget; 8) Dependent development and the dilemma of the Doe Government. Bibliogr., notes. |