– Over Delays, High Charges at Freeport of Monrovia
By Laymah Kollie
MONROVIA, Liberia – The Liberian Senate has summoned key stakeholders in the country’s port sector to appear before Plenary this Thursday to respond to growing concerns over prolonged container delays, high transaction costs, and their impact on businesses and consumer prices.
The decision follows a communication submitted to the Senate by Gbarpolu County Senator Amara M. Konneh on October 25, 2026, requesting that port authorities, terminal operators, revenue officials, and other stakeholders testify before Plenary in Committee of the Whole.
In his communication addressed to Senate President Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, Senator Konneh highlighted persistent complaints from Liberia’s business community, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), over difficulties clearing goods at the Freeport of Monrovia.
The senator alleged that containers destined for Liberia are experiencing delays exceeding 30 days at sea before berthing, with vessels reportedly being routed to and queued at ports in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
According to the communication, the delays are linked to inadequate container yard space and the inability of larger vessels to berth at the Freeport due to prolonged delays in dredging the port basin and channel.
Konneh warned that the situation is disrupting business inventories, tying up working capital, causing stock shortages, and increasing demurrage costs for importers.
High Port Charges Under Scrutiny
Beyond the delays, Senator Konneh raised concerns about what he described as a multiplicity of opaque transaction costs and fees imposed by operators and other actors in the port supply chain.
He specifically named APM Terminals Liberia, MEDTECH Scientific Limited, and Global Tracking and Maritime Solutions (GTMS) among the entities whose charges are placing additional pressure on businesses.
He argued that the costs are ultimately transferred to consumers through higher prices for goods and services.
The Senator also questioned why consumer prices remain high despite improvements in key macroeconomic indicators, including a decline in headline inflation to 4.6 percent and a strengthening of the Liberian dollar against the United States dollar.
Konneh suggested that inefficiencies and high costs at the country’s ports could be undermining the benefits of the government’s economic stabilization program under the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Credit Facility.
Seven Institutions Expected to Testify
Seven institutions and stakeholder groups are expected to be cited to explain the challenges facing the port sector and outline measures to address them.
Those named are the National Port Authority (NPA), APM Terminals Liberia, MEDTECH Scientific Limited, Global Tracking and Maritime Solutions, the Liberia Revenue Authority’s Customs Department, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Brokers Union/Customs Brokers Association of Liberia.
The stakeholders are expected to provide clarity on the status of dredging works, berthing limitations, container yard capacity, and the full schedule of fees charged across the port and customs clearance process.
They are also expected to outline immediate and medium-term measures to decongest the Freeport, reduce transaction costs, and improve cargo clearance efficiency.
Businesses and Consumers at Center of Concern
The Senate’s move comes amid concerns that rising import-related expenses and delays in the movement of goods could further strain businesses and households already grappling with the cost of living.
Senator Konneh warned that failure to address the problems could undermine private-sector competitiveness, discourage investment, and erode the purchasing power of ordinary Liberians.
The planned appearance of the port sector stakeholders is expected to provide lawmakers an opportunity to examine the allegations and seek concrete commitments toward resolving the reported bottlenecks.
The hearing could prove significant in determining whether operational limitations, infrastructure challenges, or the cost structure of port services are contributing to the high cost of imported goods in Liberia.
