Sierra Leone Launches National Shipping Carrier with Chinese Support
With governments across Africa planning to grow domestic fleets, Sierra Leone has moved ahead by establishing a national shipping company. President Julius Maada Bio presided last week over the launch at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in the country’s port city and capital, Freetown. The establishment of the national carrier is part of the wider maritime sector reforms being undertaken by the government.
The backdrop to the ceremony was the Chinese-owned bulker XH Explorer (176,298 dwt). The vessel, built in 2003, and registered in Liberia, is managed from Singapore and has been running between Sierra Leone and Asia.
In recent months, key legislative instruments have been passed, including the Revised Merchant Shipping Act 2026 and the Maritime Pollution Bill. Among these new laws was also the Sierra Leone National Shipping Agency (SLNSA) Act 2025. The law effectively transformed the old Sierra Leone National Shipping Company (SLNSC) into the Sierra Leone National Shipping Agency (SLNSA).
SLNSC was established back in 1972, and according to the Minister of Transport, Alhaji Fanday Turay, the company needed a renewed vision for “greater efficiency, flexibility, and authority.” While SLNSC has helped the country export timber, minerals, and agricultural produce over time, a more dynamic and responsive structure was required, added the Minister.
Under SLNSA’s new mandate, the parliament in August approved its joint venture agreement with China’s Zhejiang Xiehai Group to form Sierra Leone Ocean Shipping Company (SLOSCo). Zhejiang Xiehai owns the majority stake of 70 percent, while the remaining 30 percent is held by SLNSA. SLOSCo plans to build a fleet of 50 vessels, with the first phase of this acquisition targeting 30 vessels.
President Julius Maada Bio at the dedication for the new port facility
“For far too long, we have relied on international carriers to export and import our products. We are now taking a bold step forward, giving Sierra Leone a greater stake in transporting the goods we trade with the world,” said President Maada Bio.
Following SLOSCo’s launch, Zhejiang Xiehai representatives met with the leadership of Sierra Leone Ports and Harbors Authority (SLPHA) to discuss ease in cargo movement. The discussion centered on potential investment in cargo haulage trucks to ease congestion at the Port of Freetown. In addition, SLOSCo will leverage the existing direct shipping route between Taizhou Port in China and the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown, which was launched in December 2025.
Meanwhile, the Maritime Organization for Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa (MOESNA) has approved in principle the establishment of a Regional Shipping Lines Network and a Regional Maritime Cabotage Protocol. The decision was taken last week during the 10th Assembly of Ministers responsible for Shipping and Maritime Affairs and Trade and Commerce.
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With an expanding membership of states across Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa (ESNA), MOESNA is rallying the countries in the region to develop indigenous shipping capacity through a coordinated regional initiative.
Despite its extensive coastline, major seaports, and significant trade potential, ESNA region continues to face limited direct shipping connections between member states. This has seen ESNA continue to rely on transshipment services from outside the region, driving up freight and logistics costs. The proposed Regional Shipping Lines Network is therefore expected to provide a coordinated framework for developing shipping services that respond to the cargo volumes, trade patterns, and existing connectivity needs in the ESNA region.
