Sierra Leone’s strategic position on the tip of western Africa makes it the ideal place for shipping companies to develop as a maritime hub midway between Europe and Latin America. The country is already starting to record a significant rise in the level of sea trade, with the return of ever greater numbers of ships. Huge investments have been made to improve the port’s infrastructure, primarily the Port of Freetown, and the message is filtering through. In 2002, the port welcomed nearly 17,000 containers carrying all kinds of manufactured goods and agricultural produce.

A few years earlier, the figure was closer to 5,000 containers.
The Sierra Leone Shipping Agency (SLSA) is one of the most profitable companies in the whole country. It has centred its activities on the burgeoning container shipping sector and has become the number one partner to the Port of Freetown, handling most of the flow of imports and exports. The company represents approximately 70 per cent of the container vessels that come into Freetown. The growth in activity is good for the company and the economy as a whole.

‘We have increased volumes’ Christian Overgaard

“We have really increased the volume dramatically,” says Christian Overgaard, SLSA’s General Manager. “The more business they get then the more revenue they get at the end of the day.”

SLSA has deep British roots. Initially founded by a Dane, Peter von Jensen, in the UK, it has since switched its corporate base to Paris, although strong links remain. In Sierra Leone, it provides support to the Ministry of Defence and other British government organisations. “We have a good strong bond with the UK, which will prevail, because we have a lot of activities with the line that we represent in Britain,” says Mr Overgaard.

After the war, one of the greatest challenges for the company was to help rebuild the port and its activities alongside the port operator, the Sierra Leone Ports Authority, and to properly train the staff which run its Freetown office. Computers, forklift trucks and other essential equipment were brought in to the country at short notice to facilitate in the reconstruction process. “We have done a lot of things for them and the country,” says Mr Overgaard. “We funded training programmes and provided computer equipment. Our corporate philosophy is to compensate hard work.”

There are long-term plans to develop a free zone to stimulate private sector activity

The success of SLSA is down to many factors, including a motivated management team that has received specialist training in Europe, transparent organisation and a well-developed workforce. As a European company with a local interest, many foreign shipping lines appreciate the firm’s professional and customer-focused approach.
Through the group, it also boasts extensive knowledge of the entire African market. It operates a network of offices throughout all the main
markets along the west African coast, such as Ghana, Nigeria and Angola, as well as other locations.

The development of the maritime sector is a crucial part of the overall rebuilding of Sierra Leone’s economy. Most of the country’s external trade is conducted through the ports. Mr Overgaard believes that the most important thing is to re-establish confidence among the world’s shipping lines and show that the country is ready to do business. “It’s pretty hard to explain to the underwriter why we have 17,000 UN troops still here while we have officially declared the war over,” he says.

In order to attract the world’s major shipping lines the port must offer value for money. Private operators like SLSA are working with the port authorities to try to put Freetown on a par with other ports in the region in terms of tariffs and competitiveness. To expand the basic infrastructure around the port is also essential. There are long-term plans to develop a free zone that would stimulate private sector activity around the port and generate additional revenues. The result is a gradual upturn in interest.

“We have a lot of requests from smaller British companies who want to come down here,” says Mr Overgaard, “but they want to know a lot of things – the political situation, infrastructure, inflation, my opinion, other people’s opinions. They are still very cautious.”