Freetown, 13th January 2026- The Director General of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), Mr. Yankuba Askia Bio, has held high-level talks with officials from the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO), the designated authority conducting nautical chart surveys in Sierra Leone. The UKHO delegation was joined by representatives of the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA).
The engagement sought to formalise UKHO’s mandate in Sierra Leone, covering hydrographic surveys along riverine and coastal waterways, while also providing technical training and equipment to strengthen local capacity.
Welcoming the delegation, Mr. Bio highlighted the rapid growth in operations at the Freetown Port, driven by improved efficiency and productivity. He noted that this expansion has created the need for additional berths and Inland Container Depots (ICDs) across the country to ease congestion and accommodate rising container traffic.
Discussions between SLPHA, SLMA, and UKHO focused on: Collection and provision of hydrographic and marine geospatial data, raising global standards in hydrography, cartography, and navigation, enhancing marine safety and environmental protection in Sierra Leone and providing technical assistance, training, and equipment for nautical chart surveys.
The UKHO, based in Taunton, Somerset, is the UK Government’s authority on hydrography. It provides marine data, nautical charts, and guidance to ensure safe navigation for the Royal Navy, merchant shipping, and other maritime users worldwide. Operating as a Ministry of Defence Trading Fund, UKHO also fulfils international obligations under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention and plays a leading role in setting global standards for hydrography and cartography.
With Sierra Leone’s maritime sector expanding, the partnership between SLPHA and UKHO is expected to boost safety, efficiency, and international compliance, positioning the country as a stronger player in global shipping and trade.
