Sierra Leone Ports Authority Expansion Cuts Vessel Turnaround Time by 65% at Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown
The commissioning of new container handling equipment and digitized berthing clearance has slashed cargo vessel dwell times in Freetown harbor from 7.5 days to 2.6 days.
Executive Intelligence Brief
- Vessel turnaround time at Queen Elizabeth II Quay reduced from 7.5 to 2.6 days.
- Commissioning of high-capacity mobile harbor cranes expands container moves/hour.
- 19% growth in commercial bulk mining exports through modernized conveyor belts.
- Mandatory digital cargo tracking notes curb transit smuggling and customs leakages.
FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE — Port operations at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay (Water Quay) in Freetown have achieved significant efficiency milestones following the full deployment of twin mobile harbor cranes, terminal operating software, and expanded bonded container freight yards.
Data released by the Sierra Leone Ports Authority (SLPA) reveals that average commercial vessel waiting time at outer anchorage dropped from 7.5 days to 2.6 days over the past six months, resulting in immediate reductions in vessel charter costs.
General Manager of SLPA Yankuba Askia Bio confirmed that cargo throughput for mining exports, raw timber, and agricultural produce expanded by 19% following the modernization of the quay's mineral loading conveyor belts.
The port authority also announced that paperless electronic cargo tracking notes (CTN) are now mandatory for all inbound shipping lines, eliminating informal clearing brokerage fees and boosting state customs revenue collections.
Byline: Kelfala Kallon · Published: Friday, October 30, 2026
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