NPA Breaks Ground for Liberia’s First Automatic Digital Gate System at Freeport of Monrovia
The National Port Authority (NPA) has broken grounds to install an Automatic Digital Gate System at the Freeport of Monrovia, marking a major move to strengthen security, speed up gate access, reduce congestion, limit unnecessary human interaction, and improve revenue assurance.
The new system will use facial recognition technology for pedestrian access and automatic license plate recognition for vehicles. Once operational, it will digitally record movements through the port gates, giving the NPA stronger control over access, better operational visibility, and more reliable records for security and management purposes.
The project is part of the NPA’s broader effort to modernize port operations and align key access infrastructure with international security and efficiency standards. By replacing manual processes with automated verification and digital records, the Authority expects faster entry and exit, shorter queues, better traffic flow, and tighter control over gate activity.
Deputy Managing Director for Administration James Richard Bernard said the investment reflects the NPA’s commitment to building a more secure, efficient, and commercially disciplined port system. “This project is about making the Freeport safer, faster, and smarter,” Bernard said. “By digitizing gate access and movement records, we are reducing delays, improving accountability, strengthening security, and closing gaps that can undermine operational efficiency and revenue collection.”
According to Hon. Bernard, “the project will be completed and dedicated for use by our port users by the end of May 2026”.
This modernization initiative underscores the NPA’s commitment to strengthening port security, improving service delivery, and advancing Liberia’s competitiveness within the global maritime and logistics sector.
Source : NPA
