Scott Bergeron’s sudden and immediate departure from his post at the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR) caught many in the industry by surprise.

LISCR, the company that runs the Liberian registry, confirmed the departure of its long-time chief executive this week after TradeWinds was the first to report on talk of his exit.

Bergeron is a popular figure in the shipping industry and, after a 19-year career at LISCR, had become the face of the Liberian registry.