Liberian senator demands port operators explain delays

Senator Amara M. Konneh has asked Liberia's Senate to summon port operators and government agencies to explain significant delays affecting cargo ships at the Freeport of Monrovia. This week, at least five cargo ships were seen waiting offshore for berths, impacting the import of essential goods like food, fuel, and building materials.

Konneh stated in an October 25, 2026 letter that importers and shipping agents report containers spend an average of over 30 days at sea before docking, with many vessels rerouted to ports in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. He cited a lack of yard space and unfinished port basin dredging as primary causes for the prolonged waits and increased transaction costs.

National Port Authority Managing Director Sekou Dukuly acknowledged the issues, stating, "We are working on dredging and expansion." Business owners warn that daily demurrage costs and other fees are passed on to consumers, raising prices in markets across Liberia.

Why it mattersLiberian businesses face increased costs and stock-outs due to shipping delays, which are ultimately passed on to consumers through higher market prices.

Sources