US to board Liberian-registered ships

Feb 14, 2004
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In a move that is to have far-reaching ramifications, the US Navy has been empowered to board any Liberian-registered ship at sea in search of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

The pact entered into between the US and the second largest shipping registry follows fears and reports that international terrorists may use ships to attack the US homeland ports and other ports elsewhere.

The pact allows US Navy forces to stop and board Liberian-registered ships that they suspect to be carrying WMD or other related material. One third of the US oil imports arrives on Liberian-registered tankers.

The US is believed to be negotiating similar pacts with other nation registries.