BELIZE is to open a Long Range Identification and Tracking centre at its headquarters in Belize City, allowing the flag of convenience’s administration to monitor ships at sea. According to the International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize, the move will both enhance security and bring the country into line with International Maritime Organization requirements. The LRIT monitoring centre will be operated by representatives of the Belize Port Authority, the Belize National Coast Guard, and IMMARBE, which are the three entities responsible for monitoring vessels flying the Belize flag, securing coastal waters and performing search and rescue. IMMARBE is performing conformance testing of the equipment and terminals on board vessels, and it is expected that all Belize-registered ships will be fully compliant with LRIT by July 1.