By: Trokon Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
MONROVIA — In a move aimed at aligning with international maritime standards and improving cargo flow at the Freeport of Monrovia, the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) has initiated a partnership with the Shipping Lines Association and the Customs Brokers Association to implement a key provision of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL) Convention.
The initiative, spearheaded by LiMA’s Department of Facilitation, centers on the issuance of Delivery Orders by shipping lines on Saturdays. A Delivery Order is a critical document that authorizes the release of cargo from port terminals to consignees. Currently, the non-issuance of these orders during weekends has caused delays and operational setbacks for importers and customs brokers.
To address the issue, LiMA convened a high-level roundtable discussion on Friday, May 9, 2025. The meeting brought together stakeholders from the shipping industry and customs brokerage community to find common ground on extending delivery order services to Saturdays.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr. John Harvey, LiMA’s Deputy Commissioner for Domestic Vessels Registration and Safety, emphasized the importance of the move. “The inability to access cargo over the weekend continues to pose significant challenges for importers,” Harvey said. “If this matter is not urgently addressed, it risks undermining not only business continuity but also the core objectives of the FAL Convention, which aims to streamline port operations globally.”
Following discussions, several shipping lines confirmed their operational hours for Saturdays. These include: CMA-CGM: Open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; AGL (Grimaldi): Open from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon; Hapag-Lloyd: Open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Other major carriers, such as Maersk Line and the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), indicated that while they are typically closed on Saturdays, they do handle exceptional cases and are open to reviewing their current policies.
Mohamed Calico Lavalie, Director of Facilitation at LiMA, stated that his team would closely monitor the implementation and compliance of shipping lines with the proposed Saturday operations. The findings will be submitted to a newly formed working group, tasked with evaluating progress and proposing additional reforms.
Attendees at the meeting included Mr. Boubacar Telly Beavogui, Managing Director of Maersk Line Liberia; James Hinneh, President of the Customs Brokers Association of Liberia; and representatives from CMA CGM, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, and AGL (Grimaldi).
The next roundtable meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 13, 2025, where further updates and commitments from shipping lines are expected.
The implementation of this provision marks a significant step forward in Liberia’s maritime logistics reform and reflects the nation’s commitment to fostering a more efficient and globally aligned port system.
