The Director General of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), Mr. Yankuba Askia Bio, has engaged officials of the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO), the primary authority responsible for conducting nautical chart surveys in Sierra Leone. The UKHO delegation was accompanied by representatives of the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA).
The engagement was aimed at formalizing the UKHO’s mandate in Sierra Leone, which includes the conduct of nautical chart surveys along the country’s riverine and coastal waterways, as well as the provision of technical training and equipment to support national hydrographic survey capacity.
Welcoming the delegation, Mr. Bio stated that operations at the Freetown Port have recorded significant growth because of improved operational efficiency and productivity. He noted that this increase has necessitated plans to expand port infrastructure, including the construction of additional berths and Inland Container Depots (ICDs) across the country. These measures, he explained, are intended to accommodate the rising volume of discharged containers and to decongest the Freetown Port.
The engagement featured a round-table discussion involving officials from SLPHA, SLMA, and UKHO. Key areas of collaboration highlighted during the discussions included:
The collection and provision of hydrographic (seabed) and marine geospatial data, collaboration with SLPHA and other maritime authorities to raise global standards in hydrography, cartography, and navigation, contributions to marine safety and environmental protection in Sierra Leone; and the provision of technical and infrastructural assistance, including training and equipment, to support nautical chart surveys.
The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is the UK Government’s authority on hydrography, providing essential marine data, nautical charts, and navigational guidance to ensure safe passage for the Royal Navy, merchant shipping, and other maritime users worldwide. The UKHO fulfils international safety obligations under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention and contributes to maritime security and efficient global trade through high-quality geospatial data and internationally recognized standards.
Based in Taunton, Somerset, the UKHO operates as a Ministry of Defence Trading Fund and maintains one of the world’s most extensive hydrographic archives. It also plays a leading role in setting global standards for hydrography and cartography. The UKHO is currently the designated primary authority for conducting nautical chart surveys in Sierra Leone.
