Liberia: NPA Unveils Measures to Ease Port Congestion as Importers Protest Delays, Rising Fees

Dukuly announces direct Maersk shipping to Monrovia, extended port operations, plans to clear stranded containers and $280 million investment initiative as businesses demand urgent relief from mounting costs and prolonged shipping delays.

MONROVIA — National Port Authority (NPA) Managing Director Sekou A. Dukuly has announced a series of measures to address congestion, prolonged cargo delays and rising port-related costs at the Freeport of Monrovia, following protests by Liberian businesswomen and importers demanding urgent government intervention.

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By Gerald C. Koinyeneh

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Speaking at a press briefing at his office at the Freeport, Dukuly acknowledged that the port is operating below its required capacity, leaving hundreds of containers stranded and imposing additional financial burdens on importers.

He disclosed that approximately 700 containers have remained at the port for more than 30 days, describing the situation as unacceptable for a country whose economy depends heavily on maritime trade.

Among the immediate interventions, Dukuly announced that shipping giant Maersk has agreed to bring vessels directly to Monrovia, a move intended to reduce transit times and additional costs associated with transshipment through other West African ports.

Previously, some cargo shipments destined for Liberia were routed through regional ports before being transferred onto smaller vessels for delivery to Monrovia. The arrangement has contributed to prolonged shipping schedules and additional handling requirements.

The direct-shipping arrangement is expected to shorten delivery times and reduce logistical complications for importers. However, its actual impact on shipping costs and delivery schedules will depend on the frequency of direct services and effective implementation.

Dukuly also announced plans to clear approximately 700 containers that have remained at the port for extended periods, suspend ongoing berth repairs to allow two vessels to berth at a time, and extend working hours to improve cargo handling.

He said the NPA is exploring the possibility of granting additional free days to importers facing mounting demurrage and storage charges because of delays.

In a further proposal aimed at addressing the financial consequences of the congestion, Dukuly said the NPA could engage the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) and commercial banking institutions to provide short-term relief to affected businesses.

He proposed microeconomic support measures, including easing loan repayment obligations and extending repayment periods for importers whose capital remains tied up in goods they have been unable to retrieve from the port.

According to Dukuly, such engagement could help reduce the financial pressure on businesses while the NPA works to resolve the operational challenges.

The proposal comes amid complaints from importers who say they rely heavily on commercial bank loans, often secured against their homes and other personal properties, to finance their businesses. Prolonged shipping delays, combined with demurrage, storage fees and accumulating loan interest, have reportedly threatened their ability to sustain operations.

On infrastructure, Dukuly disclosed that capital dredging at the port is expected to begin within two to three weeks. The exercise is intended to improve navigational depth and allow larger vessels to access the port, potentially increasing its cargo-handling capacity.

He also said APM Terminals, the port’s terminal operator, has ordered additional equipment expected to arrive in Liberia soon to strengthen cargo-handling operations.

The NPA is further opening an unpaved section of the port yard to accommodate additional containers and create more space for incoming vessels.

Beyond these immediate interventions, Dukuly said the authority is working with the Liberia Revenue Authority, Ministry of Commerce, CTN, MedTech and other stakeholders to automate port operations.

The proposed system would allow Import Permit Declarations and other documentation processes to be completed online, reducing physical transactions, administrative bottlenecks and delays in cargo clearance.

In another major announcement, Dukuly disclosed that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has established the Inter-Ministerial Concessions Committee, which he said has attracted approximately US$280 million in direct capital investment for the port.

The investment is expected to support efforts to modernize the Freeport of Monrovia and strengthen its competitiveness as a regional maritime and commercial gateway. However, details of the investment, including its financing structure, implementation timeline and specific projects, were not immediately provided.

Business Community Demands Government Intervention

The announcements follow growing frustration among Liberian importers, particularly women-owned businesses, over prolonged shipping delays, port congestion and escalating demurrage, storage and administrative charges.

On Tuesday, representatives of the China Business Women United with One Voice and the Consortium of Liberia Importers petitioned the National Legislature and the NPA, warning that the situation is threatening the survival of local businesses.

Reading the petition on behalf of the business community, advocate Sriya Musu Momolu said shipments originating from Asia and China are reportedly taking between six and seven months to reach the Freeport of Monrovia.

She explained that many importers depend on commercial bank loans, often secured with personal homes and other properties, to finance their businesses. Extended shipping timelines, she said, have left their capital tied up for months, making it difficult to repay loans, meet rental obligations and fulfill tax responsibilities.

The petition also highlighted problems associated with expired Delivery Orders, which require importers to pay renewal fees and additional administrative charges before retrieving their goods.

The businesswomen argued that importers should not be forced to shoulder demurrage and other penalties for delays beyond their control.

They called for a legislative inquiry into shipping companies over transit delays and surcharge structures. They also demanded that shipping lines and terminal operators waive reissuance fees and demurrage charges arising from expired Delivery Orders.

Other demands include mandatory shipping arrival timelines, streamlined container-clearance procedures, enforcement of the Liberianization Policy to protect local businesses from unfair foreign retail competition, and the development of a long-term national logistics policy.

Receiving the petition on behalf of the Legislature, Montserrado County District No. 8 Representative Prince Toles pledged to bring the concerns before his colleagues for consideration.

Toles, who identified himself as a fellow businessperson, described the grievances as concerning and emphasized the need for swift legislative and administrative intervention.

Pressure Mounts on Port Authorities

The protest and petition have placed renewed pressure on the NPA and other government institutions to demonstrate that the country’s principal commercial gateway can effectively handle the demands of importers and shipping companies.

The Freeport of Monrovia is central to Liberia’s import-dependent economy, serving as a major entry point for food, fuel, construction materials, machinery and other essential commodities.

Prolonged delays can increase the cost of doing business as importers incur additional storage, demurrage, transportation and administrative charges. Such expenses can ultimately be passed on to consumers through higher prices in local markets.

While Dukuly’s proposed interventions could improve cargo movement and reduce delays, their effectiveness will depend on timely implementation, adequate equipment, improved coordination among government agencies and greater transparency in port operations.

For the protesting importers, the immediate concern remains the cost of retrieving goods already stranded at the port and the financial pressure accumulated during months of shipping delays.