By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) has intensified efforts to strengthen the country’s maritime legal and regulatory framework through strategic engagement with senior officials of the Fast Track Commercial and Admiralty Court (FTCC) as preparations continue for the implementation of the revised Merchant Shipping Act.
The high-level meeting, which took place on 4 June 2026 at Government Wharf in Freetown, focused on enhancing collaboration between the two institutions to support the effective administration and enforcement of maritime laws and regulations in Sierra Leone.
Ahead of the engagement with the FTCC, the SLMA delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Komba Kamanda, where discussions centred on areas of mutual interest and the importance of strengthening cooperation with the Court in addressing matters relating to maritime commerce and admiralty law.
The visit also provided members of the delegation with the opportunity to tour the Court’s facilities and gain deeper insight into its operations and judicial processes.
The delegation was led by the Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration, Dr. Daniel B. Kaitibi and included officials from the institution’s Legal and Public Relations Departments, representatives from the Accounts Department and other senior staff.
Established by an Act of Parliament in 2000 and further reinforced by the Merchant Shipping Act of 2003, the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration functions as an autonomous institution responsible for the registration of ships and other vessels. The agency also regulates and promotes best practices within the country’s shipping industry, including coastal and inland water transport, while advancing measures aimed at protecting the marine environment.
Given the close relationship between maritime activities, commercial transactions and admiralty matters, the Fast Track Commercial and Admiralty Court continues to play an important role in the adjudication of commercial and maritime disputes. The Court’s jurisdiction over admiralty matters was further strengthened through the Commercial Admiralty Court Rules of 2020, providing an important legal mechanism for resolving complex maritime cases.
During the engagement, discussions focused on deepening institutional cooperation as Sierra Leone prepares to operationalize the revised Merchant Shipping Act. Participants examined practical ways of strengthening the Court’s capacity to effectively handle matters arising from the proposed legislation and to ensure the proper enforcement of maritime laws and regulations.
The meeting also highlighted the need for greater alignment with international maritime standards and the effective domestication and implementation of key international maritime conventions within Sierra Leone’s legal system.
As part of the discussions, the SLMA legal team proposed the establishment of a dedicated judicial mechanism for maritime matters, similar to the specialized court structures that support institutions such as the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Officials observed that such an arrangement could help address the technical and complex nature of maritime disputes while facilitating the timely resolution of cases.
The engagement further enabled both institutions to identify legal and procedural challenges affecting the maritime sector and to explore practical solutions aimed at strengthening dispute resolution processes.
Stakeholders believe that a stronger legal and judicial framework for the maritime industry will enhance investor confidence, support international trade and reinforce Sierra Leone’s position as a modern, competitive and internationally compliant maritime nation.
The growing collaboration between the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration and the Fast Track Commercial and Admiralty Court is expected to contribute significantly to the effective implementation of the revised Merchant Shipping Act and to the advancement of the country’s broader maritime development agenda.
