Liberia : House Committee on Maritime Affairs Visits Freeport of Monrovia, Assesses Operational Challenges
Amid ongoing efforts to ease container congestion and accelerate cargo clearance at the Freeport of Monrovia, the House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Affairs has conducted a working visit to Liberia’s principal seaport to assess operational challenges and examine measures being implemented to restore efficiency, expand capacity, and strengthen the country’s maritime trade.
The four-member delegation, led by Hon. Austin Taylor of Maryland County, Chairman of the Committee on Maritime Affairs, toured several key areas of the port, including the container terminal operated by APM Terminals, the general cargo areas, the LMC and BMC piers, and the administrative headquarters of the National Port Authority (NPA).
The visit formed part of the Committee’s legislative oversight responsibilities and provided lawmakers with a firsthand understanding of the challenges affecting port operations, particularly container congestion, delays in cargo clearance, and infrastructure limitations.
During an interactive meeting with the NPA Deputy Managing Director for Operations, Hon. Emmanuel Horton, and the Managing Director of APM Terminals and his team, the lawmakers received a comprehensive briefing on the current state of port operations and interventions underway to address these challenges.
Both executives emphasized the importance of modernizing the Freeport of Monrovia to meet the growing demands of international trade, improve operational efficiency, and better serve the Liberian business community.
The delegation was also briefed on several immediate and long-term interventions, including the relocation of long-staying containers to create additional yard space, planned capital dredging to accommodate larger vessels, and direct vessel service arrangements intended to improve shipping connectivity and reduce vessel turnaround times.
These the measures according Hon. Horton, are expected to ease congestion, accelerate cargo movement, and improve service delivery for importers and other port users.
At the close of the visit, Hon. Taylor reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to working closely with the NPA and other stakeholders to find practical and lasting solutions to the challenges facing the Freeport of Monrovia.
He emphasized that the Legislature, as the representative of the Liberian people, has a responsibility to ensure that public institutions operate efficiently and in the best interest of the citizens they serve.
The Management of the National Port Authority welcomed the Committee’s engagement, describing the visit as an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration between the Legislature and port authorities.
The NPA reaffirmed its commitment to working with all relevant stakeholders to build a modern, efficient, and globally competitive Freeport of Monrovia that facilitates trade, supports economic growth, and delivers better services to the Liberian people.
Source : NPA
