Sierra Leone: Abuja MoU Strengthens Port State Control Officers’ Skills in Inspecting Tankers and Bulk Carriers
Today in Freetown, Sierra Leone, the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central African Region (Abuja MoU) commences its Specialised Training on Tankers and Bulk Carriers for Port State Control Officers.
The three-day programme, taking place from 20–22 October 2026, forms part of the Abuja MoU’s wider capacity-building initiative supported by Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
With a focus on practical inspection competencies and knowledge sharing, the training reflects our shared commitment to building a resilient and future-ready Port State Control regime, while strengthening maritime safety across the region.
Addressing Port State Control Officers at the opening ceremony earlier today, the Secretary General of the Abuja MoU, Captain Sunday Umoren, hastened to state, ‘’…We see you (Port State Control Officers) as co-workers alongside seafarers ensuring quality shipping across all member states. During the course of this training and after, let’s kindly ensure there is no safe haven for sub-standard shipping.’’
In his remarks, Ing. Emmanuel B.A. Lansana, Deputy Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration maintained, “…the five-year agreement between the Abuja MoU and the Lloyd’s Register Foundation aims to strengthen capacity and ensure that global trade continues safely and efficiently, with minimal disruptions. Where challenges arise, the goal is to respond swiftly and effectively to address them.’’
‘’As ambassadors in your respective areas of responsibility, he continues, ‘’I encourage you to share the skills, knowledge, and experience gained from this opportunity with our colleagues. Let us make the most of this opportunity and ensure that the knowledge acquired translates into improved performance and stronger institutional capacity.”
Representing Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Transport and Aviation, Honorable Rex Bhonapha, Deputy Minister, is quoted as saying, ‘’…Port State Control inspection reports act as a safety net for the entire shipping world. When a ship/vessel calls at the shores of Sierra Leone for instance, it is the Port State Control officer who boards her, examines her certificate, structure, equipment, approves and asks questions on behalf of every Sierra Leonean: ‘is this ship safe to sail from our harbor?’ Port State Control Officers undergoing this training are the ones who will be asking these questions. You are the last line of defense between the sub-standard ship and the sea, and the quality of your training is, in the most literary sense, a matter of life and death, which is why this training is very important.”
Source : Sierra Leone Maritime Administration
