By Fatima Kpaka
The Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for the West and Central African Region (Abuja MoU) has commenced a three-day specialised training programme on tankers and bulk carriers for Port State Control Officers in Freetown.
The training, which runs from 20 to 22 October 2026, forms part of the Abuja MoU’s broader capacity-building initiative supported by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, aimed at strengthening maritime safety and inspection standards across member states.
The programme focuses on enhancing practical inspection skills and promoting knowledge sharing among Port State Control Officers, reflecting a collective commitment to building a resilient and future-ready Port State Control regime throughout the region.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Secretary General of the Abuja MoU, Captain Sunday Umoren, underscored the critical role Port State Control Officers play in safeguarding maritime operations.
“We see you as co-workers alongside seafarers, ensuring quality shipping across all member states. During the course of this training and after, let us ensure there is no safe haven for sub-standard shipping,” he said.
In his remarks, Deputy Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration, Ing. Emmanuel B.A. Lansana, highlighted the importance of the partnership between the Abuja MoU and the Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
According to him, the five-year agreement seeks to strengthen institutional capacity and support safe and efficient global trade while ensuring rapid and effective responses to emerging maritime challenges.
He encouraged participants to share the knowledge and skills acquired during the training with colleagues in their respective institutions.
“As ambassadors in your areas of responsibility, I encourage you to share the skills, knowledge and experience gained from this opportunity with our colleagues. Let us make the most of this opportunity and ensure that the knowledge acquired translates into improved performance and stronger institutional capacity,” Lansana stated.
Representing the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, Deputy Minister Rex Bhonapha described Port State Control Officers as a critical line of defence against unsafe maritime operations.
He noted that inspection reports serve as a vital safety mechanism for the global shipping industry, ensuring that vessels operating in regional waters meet international safety standards.
“When a vessel calls at the shores of Sierra Leone, it is the Port State Control Officer who boards the ship, examines its certificates, structure and equipment, and asks the important question on behalf of every Sierra Leonean: ‘Is this ship safe to sail from our harbour?’” he said.
Bhonapha stressed that the officers undergoing the training carry significant responsibility, noting that the quality of their work directly impacts maritime safety and the protection of lives at sea.
The training is expected to enhance the competence of Port State Control Officers in inspecting tankers and bulk carriers while reinforcing efforts to eliminate sub-standard shipping and promote safer maritime operations across West and Central Africa.