Sierra Leone takes control of its cargo with 50-ship fleet backed by China
The new Sierra Leone Ocean Shipping Company plans a 50-vessel fleet.
Sierra Leone has taken a decisive step toward expanding its maritime capabilities with the launch of a new national shipping carrier, supported by Chinese investment. The inauguration ceremony took place last week at Freetown’s Queen Elizabeth II Quay, where President Julius Maada Bio highlighted the initiative as a key development for the country’s trade infrastructure.
The event featured the Chinese-owned bulker XH Explorer, a 176,298-deadweight-ton vessel built in 2003 and managed from Singapore. The ship, which has been operating routes between Sierra Leone and Asia, symbolized the new venture’s immediate operational capacity.
Legislative reforms pave the way for modernization: Sierra Leone
The establishment of the new carrier follows a series of legal changes aimed at revitalizing Sierra Leone’s maritime sector. Among these was the SLNSA Act 2025, which transformed the former Sierra Leone National Shipping Company (SLNSC), founded in 1972, into the more agile Sierra Leone National Shipping Agency (SLNSA). According to Transport Minister Alhaji Fanday Turay, the restructuring was necessary to improve efficiency and adapt to modern shipping demands.
The SLNSA now holds a 30% stake in the newly formed Sierra Leone Ocean Shipping Company (SLOSCo), a joint venture with China’s Zhejiang Xiehai Group, which owns the remaining 70%. The partnership was approved by parliament in August, with plans to build a fleet of 50 vessels, starting with an initial phase of 30 ships.
Regional integration and long-term goals
Sierra Leone’s move aligns with broader efforts across Africa to reduce dependence on foreign shipping services. The Maritime Organization for Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa (MOESNA) recently endorsed a Regional Shipping Lines Network and a Regional Maritime Cabotage Protocol during its 10th ministerial assembly. These initiatives aim to strengthen intra-African trade by improving direct shipping connections and lowering logistics costs.
President Bio emphasized the strategic importance of the new carrier, stating that Sierra Leone had long relied on international operators for its imports and exports. “This is a bold step forward, ensuring our country plays a greater role in transporting the goods we trade globally,” he said.
SLOSCo’s immediate focus includes addressing congestion at Freetown’s port by investing in cargo haulage trucks. The company will also utilize an existing shipping route between Taizhou Port in China and Freetown, launched in December 2025, to streamline trade flows.
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