SIERRA LEONE: PRESIDENT JULIUS MAADA BIO OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES NATIONAL SHIPPING COMPANY SLOSCo
The President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, officially launched the Sierra Leone Ocean Shipping Company (SLOSCo) on Monday, 19 October 2026, at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown. The initiative marks a significant milestone in the revitalisation of the country’s maritime sector and its ambition to strengthen its participation in international trade.
“For far too long, we have relied on international carriers to export and import our products. Today, we’re taking a bold step forward, giving Sierra Leone a greater stake in transporting the goods we trade with the world,” President Julius Maada Bio said.
SLOSCo is the result of a strategic Joint Venture Agreement between the Sierra Leone National Shipping Agency (SLNSA) and Zhejiang Xiehai Group Co. Ltd. of the People’s Republic of China. The partnership aims to strengthen the country’s maritime connectivity and boost international trade.
A planned fleet of 50 vessels
The new national shipping company is intended to provide Sierra Leone with its own maritime transport capacity to facilitate trade, expand cargo-shipping operations and enable the country to retain a greater share of the value generated by goods transported to and from its territory.
The project is expected to introduce a fleet of 50 vessels, with the first phase comprising 30 vessels. This planned capacity is expected to strengthen the country’s shipping capabilities and improve its position in international trade and supply chains.
A driver of economic growth and employment
For the Sierra Leonean authorities, establishing SLOSCo is about more than owning ships. It is also about creating opportunities for citizens, developing local skills, attracting greater investment into the maritime sector and ensuring that the country derives more economic benefits from its international trade.
The initiative therefore represents another important step in the collective efforts to strengthen Sierra Leone’s maritime industry, generate new economic opportunities and make better use of the country’s strategic geographical location and ocean resources.
Beyond shipping operations, SLOSCo is expected to connect Sierra Leone to broader opportunities in trade, investment, logistics and regional commerce. A stronger maritime industry could create jobs for young people, support local businesses and contribute significantly to national economic development.
With the official launch of SLOSCo, Sierra Leone is reaffirming its ambition to strengthen its capacity in maritime transport, improve its trade competitiveness and make greater use of its maritime potential.
