The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority Act, no. 29 of 2023.

This Act, divided into sixteen parts and consisting of 134 sections, provide for regulating Ports and Harbours activities and continuing the existence of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority. The Act defines the following relevant terms: certificate of competency; concession; consumer; land reclamation; land development; employer of maritime labour; equipment; harbour; Off-shore cargo handling facility; navigational aid; port; port infrastructure; port service; inland waters, territorial waters and waters of the exclusive economic zone; tariff; vessel. The Act provides for the continuation of the Sierra Leone Ports Authority and describes its general functions and powers: providing directions to the ports and harbours sector and ensuring proper administration of technical, economic and safety regulatory issues relating to ports and harbours; developing a master plan for ports; managing the dredging and maintenances of channels; providing technical and economic regulatory oversight in the ports and harbours sector; development and enforcement of safety and health standards for the ports and harbours; arranging road, rail and air access to ports, in order to facilitate the integration of the infrastructure and logistics systems in the ports with relevant systems outside the port; encouraging and facilitating private sector investment and participation in the provision of port service; taking all proper measures for the management, control and development of Ports and harbours; strengthening direction and control of the movement of vessels within the ports and harbours; ensuring availability of essential port services; ensuring the management of the ports in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner; facilitating the development of trade, merchant marine and commerce for the economic benefit and interest of the national economy; making reasonable provision for rendering assistance (search, rescue and salvage operation) to any vessel entering or leaving any port; approving the establishment and planning of off shore cargo handling facilities and services relating thereto; developing providing and maintaining a port facility security assessment and plan.
The Act covers the following matters: employees of the Authority; financial provisions and funds of the Authority; applications and investment of funds; authorisation for ports operators; issuance of licences; ministerial granting of concessions for marine service or facility; unfair competition and unfair agreement; ensuring access to the facility; power of the Authority to acquire land and other assets; tariffs, dues and rates and their application; regulation of tariffs; pilotage licence, duties of the harbour master and related provisions; liability and legal proceedings; offences; routine inspections.