SLPHA DG Engages UKHO on Nautical Chart Survey
Clinetown, Freetown, 13th Jan., 2026
The Director General of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), Mr. Yankuba Askia Bio, has engaged officials of the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO), the primary authority conducting nautical chart surveys in Sierra Leone. The UKHO delegation was accompanied by representatives of the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA).
The engagement was aimed at formalising the UKHO’s mandate in Sierra Leone, which includes conducting nautical chart surveys along the country’s riverline and coastal waterways, as well as providing technical training and equipment to support the conduct of hydrographic surveys.
Welcoming the delegation, Mr. Bio stated that operations at the Freetown Port have significantly increased in volume as a result of improved operational efficiency and productivity. He noted that this growth has necessitated plans to expand port infrastructure through the construction of additional berths and Inland Container Depots (ICDs) across the country, to accommodate the rising number of discharged containers and to decongest the Freetown Port.
The engagement featured a round-table discussion involving officials of SLPHA, SLMA, and UKHO. Key highlights of the discussions included the following areas of collaboration:
Collection and provision of hydrographic (seabed) and marine geospatial data;
Collaboration with SLPHA and other maritime authorities to raise global standards in hydrography, cartography, and navigation;
Contribution to marine safety and environmental protection in Sierra Leone; and
Provision of technical and infrastructural assistance, including training and equipment, to support nautical chart surveys.
The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is the UK Government’s authority on hydrography, providing essential marine data, nautical charts, and guidance to ensure safe navigation for the Royal Navy, merchant shipping, and other maritime users worldwide. The UKHO fulfils international safety obligations under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention and contributes to maritime security and efficient global trade through high-quality geospatial data and internationally recognised standards.
Based in Taunton, Somerset, the UKHO operates as a Ministry of Defence Trading Fund and maintains a vast hydrographic archive. It also plays a leading role in setting global standards for hydrography and cartography. The UKHO is currently the designated primary authority conducting nautical chart surveys in Sierra Leone.
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