As part of efforts to strengthen Sierra Leone’s maritime legal and regulatory framework ahead of the enactment of the revised Merchant Shipping Act, the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) has engaged senior officials of the Fast Track Commercial and Admiralty Court (FTCC) at Government Wharf, Freetown, to explore areas of strategic collaboration between the two institutions.
Prior to the engagement, the SLMA delegation held a productive meeting with the Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Komba Kamanda, during which both parties discussed areas of mutual interest and agreed on the importance of engaging the Fast Track Commercial and Admiralty Court. The meeting also provided an opportunity for the SLMA team to undertake a guided tour of the Court’s facilities and gain firsthand insight into its operations.
The SLMA delegation was led by its Executive Director, Dr. Daniel B. Kaitibi, and comprised the legal and public relations teams, representative from Accounts department, among others.
SLMA was established by an Act of Parliament in 2000 and by the Merchant Shipping Act of 2003 as an autonomous body responsible for the registration of ships and other vessels, and also to regulate and develop improved standards of performance and practice in the shipping industry in Sierra Leone, including the coastal and inland water transport system and the marine environment.
Maritime activities are closely linked to commercial transactions, shipping operations, and admiralty matters, making effective judicial oversight essential to the growth of the sector. To support this objective, the Sierra Leone Fast Track Commercial Court (FTCC) was established in 2010 as a specialized division of the High Court with a mandate to expedite the resolution of commercial disputes, as provided for in the Commercial Admiralty Court rule of 2020.
The engagement sought to deepen institutional collaboration between the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) and the Fast Track Commercial and Admiralty Court (FTCC) as the country prepares for the enactment of the revised Merchant Shipping Act. Discussions centered on enhancing the Court’s capacity to effectively adjudicate matters arising under the proposed legislation, strengthening the enforcement of maritime laws and regulations, promoting alignment with international maritime standards, and supporting the effective domestication and implementation of key international maritime conventions within Sierra Leone’s legal framework.
SLMA’s legal team requested a designated and specialized court, the likes of which the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) operate.
The engagement also provided an opportunity to identify practical legal and procedural challenges, while reinforcing an efficient dispute resolution mechanism that will promote investor confidence and contribute to the development of a modern, compliant, and competitive maritime sector in Sierra Leone.
