By: Saidu Jalloh
The Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) on Friday engaged senior officials of the Fast Track Commercial and Admiralty Court (FTCC) in Freetown as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s maritime legal and regulatory framework ahead of the anticipated enactment of the revised Merchant Shipping Act.
The engagement, held at Government Wharf, focused on identifying areas of strategic collaboration between the two institutions to enhance maritime governance, regulatory compliance, and the efficient resolution of shipping-related disputes.
Prior to the meeting with officials of the FTCC, the SLMA delegation held discussions with Chief Justice Komba Kamanda. During the meeting, both parties emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between the judiciary and maritime regulatory authorities and agreed on the need for closer engagement with the specialized Commercial and Admiralty Court.
The Chief Justice underscored the critical role of a robust legal framework in supporting the growth and development of Sierra Leone’s maritime sector. In response, SLMA officials highlighted the importance of judicial collaboration as the country prepares to implement the revised Merchant Shipping Act.
The delegation, led by SLMA Executive Director, Daniel B. Kaitibi, also toured the court’s facilities to gain firsthand insight into its operations, case management systems, and procedures for handling commercial and admiralty matters.
Speaking during the engagement, Dr. Kaitibi stated that strengthening ties with the specialized court is essential for ensuring the effective enforcement of maritime laws and regulations. He noted that the revised Merchant Shipping Act is expected to modernize Sierra Leone’s maritime sector and align it more closely with international maritime standards and best practices.
Established by an Act of Parliament in 2000 and further empowered by the Merchant Shipping Act of 2003, the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration is responsible for ship registration, maritime regulation, and the development of standards within the shipping industry. Its mandate also includes oversight of coastal and inland water transport as well as the protection and preservation of the marine environment.
Officials explained that maritime activities are closely linked to commercial transactions, shipping operations, and admiralty matters, making efficient judicial oversight crucial to the sector’s growth and sustainability. They noted that the Fast Track Commercial and Admiralty Court, established in 2010 as a specialized division of the High Court of Sierra Leone, plays a pivotal role in expediting the resolution of commercial and maritime disputes under the Commercial Admiralty Court Rules of 2020.
Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation and fostering a more effective legal and regulatory environment for maritime operations in Sierra Leone.
The engagement forms part of broader preparations for the anticipated enactment of the revised Merchant Shipping Act, which is expected to enhance governance, improve regulatory compliance, and strengthen dispute resolution mechanisms within the country’s maritime sector.