Sierra Leone Launches National Shipping Carrier with Chinese Support

With governments across Africa planning to grow domestic fleets, Sierra Leone has moved ahead by establishing a national shipping company. President Julius Maada Bio presided last week over the launch at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in the country’s port city and capital, Freetown. The establishment of the national carrier is part of the wider maritime sector reforms being undertaken by the government.

In recent months, key legislative instruments have been passed, including the Revised Merchant Shipping Act 2026 and the Maritime Pollution Bill. Among these new laws was also the Sierra Leone National Shipping Agency (SLNSA) Act 2025. The law effectively transformed the old Sierra Leone National Shipping Company (SLNSC) into the Sierra Leone National Shipping Agency (SLNSA).

SLNSC was established back in 1972, and according to the Minister of Transport, Alhaji Fanday Turay, the company needed a renewed vision for “greater efficiency, flexibility, and authority.” While SLNSC has helped the country export timber, minerals, and agricultural produce over time, a more dynamic and responsive structure was required, added the Minister.

Under SLNSA’s new mandate, the parliament in August approved its joint venture agreement with China’s Zhejiang Xiehai Group to form Sierra Leone Ocean Shipping Company (SLOSCo). Zhejiang Xiehai owns the majority stake of 70 percent, while the remaining 30 percent is held by SLNSA. SLOSCo plans to build a fleet of 50 vessels, with the first phase of this acquisition targeting 30 vessels.

This story was originally published by The Maritime Executive. Read the full story at The Maritime Executive →