The United States Coast Guard has commended the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) for its adherence to international safety and security standards at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown. This praise followed a routine inspection at the Freetown Port, where the US Coast Guard assessed compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code a comprehensive set of global measures designed to enhance security at ports and on vessels.
The inspection team conducted a thorough survey of the port, reviewing key areas such as vehicle, pedestrian, and truck access controls, the port perimeter, the CCTV surveillance room, and the interface between the port and vessels.
Team leader Scott Wollard from the US Coast Guard noted that the SLPHA had made significant improvements in access control procedures, surveillance systems, and perimeter fencing at the Freetown Port. He urged the Authority’s management to maintain and continue enhancing these security measures.
In his welcoming address, the Director General of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority, Yankuba Askia Bio, highlighted the substantial reforms the Authority has implemented in both infrastructure and service delivery. These reforms include berth expansion, upgraded security surveillance, and increased operational efficiency at the port. He emphasized that these improvements have built trust among international shipping lines, enabling larger vessels and their crews to visit Sierra Leone.
The Coast Guard team also visited the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration, Petrol Jetty, Nectar Sierra Leone Bulk Terminal, and African Global Logistics, further inspecting the country’s maritime security infrastructure.
