By Joseph Momoh, D.S
FREETOWN — Sierra Leone has over 600 vessels flying its flag, yet trained seafarers in the country cannot find ships to sail on to complete their required sea time.
The situation was disclosed by Sia Fille, Deputy Harbour Master of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority, who described the vessel shortage as a major crisis facing the maritime sector.
“It is very tough for seafarers. After completing their training, there is often no vessel available for them to sail on. That remains a major challenge in Sierra Leone,” Fille said during an appearance on AYV Media’s Wake Up Sierra Leone.
According to her, some seafarers are now managing with ferries and other available local vessels, but those are only temporary measures.
The problem has persisted for years. In 2022, Fille told Awoko Newspaper that some seafarers were completing their training and staying at home due to lack of placement, forcing some to abandon the profession. Limited specialised training opportunities in Sierra Leone, with some courses taken in Ghana, has worsened the situation.
Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration, Dr. Daniel Kaitibi, confirmed that more than 600 vessels fly the Sierra Leonean flag but limited access to certified maritime training institutions continues to constrain Sierra Leoneans from securing placements on board.
A potential breakthrough is the planned establishment of a national shipping company.
In 2026, the Sierra Leone National Shipping Agency signed a joint venture agreement with China’s Zhejiang Xiehai Group Co. Ltd., China’s third-largest shipping group with 50 vessels and an annual turnover of about $300 million, to establish the Sierra Leone Ocean Shipping Company (SLOSCo). Parliament ratified the agreement on August 4, 2026.
Transport and Aviation Minister Alhaji Fanday Turay described the ratification as a “defining moment” for the maritime industry, saying the company is expected to create jobs, strengthen local capacity and reduce dependence on foreign operators.
The company plans to invest in maritime training, a maritime school, technology transfer and opportunities for seafarers, marine engineers, logistics professionals and shipping managers.
In February 2026, the Maritime Administration also signed an MoU with Njala University’s Bonthe Campus to boost maritime education and provide structured internship and sea-time opportunities.
Despite the moves, no official timeline has been given for when SLOSCo will commence operations or how many seafarers will be employed.
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