The Director General of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), Mr. Yankuba Askia Bio, on Tuesday 13 January2026, has held high-level talks with officials from the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) to advance collaboration on nautical chart surveying and maritime safety in Sierra Leone. The UKHO delegation was accompanied by representatives of the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA).

The engagement focused on formalising UKHO’s mandate to conduct comprehensive nautical chart surveys along Sierra Leone’s riverine and coastal waters. Discussions also covered the provision of technical support, capacity building, and equipment to strengthen national hydrographic survey capabilities.

Welcoming the delegation, Mr. Bio noted that increased efficiency and productivity at the Freetown Port have led to a significant rise in cargo throughput. He explained that this growth has prompted plans to expand port infrastructure, including the construction of additional berths and Inland Container Depots (ICDs) across the country, to ease congestion and improve cargo handling nationwide.

A roundtable discussion involving officials from SLPHA, SLMA, and UKHO highlighted key areas of collaboration. These include the collection and sharing of hydrographic and marine geospatial data, joint efforts to enhance global standards in hydrography, cartography, and navigation, and initiatives to improve marine safety and environmental protection. The talks also underscored UKHO’s commitment to providing technical assistance, training, and equipment to support nautical chart surveys in Sierra Leone.

The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office is the UK Government’s authority on hydrography, responsible for producing nautical charts and marine geospatial data that support safe navigation for naval, commercial, and other maritime users worldwide. Operating under the UK Ministry of Defence as a trading fund, UKHO fulfils international obligations under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention and plays a key role in promoting maritime security and efficient global trade.

Headquartered in Taunton, Somerset, UKHO maintains one of the world’s most extensive hydrographic archives and is recognised for setting international standards in hydrography and cartography. It currently serves as the designated primary authority for nautical chart surveys in Sierra Leone.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wedneday, 14th January 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)