House Concurs With Senate To Pass Bill Granting Autonomous Status To Sea And Inland Ports
June 25, 2025
Monrovia: The House of Representatives has concurred with the Liberian Senate to pass bill granting autonomous status to four sea and Inland Ports in the country.
The Engrossed Bill Entitled An Act Amending The Maritime Law And Restating “An Act An Independent Seaport and Inland Ports Regulatory Authority, To Provide For The Regulation And Sustainable Development Of Seaports And Inland Ports Operations And Services In Liberia, To Facilitate A Staffer, Orderly and Transparent Development Of Port Facilities and Services For Any Other Purpose Incidental Thereto” And To Create The Liberia Sea And Inland Ports Regulatory Agency Act 2024.
The House decision was taken Tuesday, 24 June during the 12th Day Sitting of the 2nd Quarter of the 2nd Session of the 55th Legislature based on recommendations contained in a report from the Committee on Maritime.
The Maritime Committee chaired by Maryland County Representative Austin Taylor recommended the adoption of the Infrastructure Modernization Targeted Investment In Facilities that will allocate substantial financial resources from the port revenue and aggressively seek foreign direct investment.
It also recommended the Technical Integration Automation and Human Resource Development and Capacity Building, Introduced by Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karngar Lawrence, the bill if sign by President Joseph Boakai will decentralize control and modernize port operations as well establish an independent framework management system and development and shift port Governance.
“The law will prioritize key national interests such as capacity building, employment creation, and a more equitable system of revenue distribution across port operations” Senator Karngar Lawrence said.
She added during the introduction and deliberations of the instrument that “The passage of this bill is a step toward economic empowerment and regional development
Maryland County Representative Austin Taylor who chaired the Committee on Maritime proposed Infrastructure Modernization and Investment that will allocate substantial financial resources from the port revenue and aggressively seek foreign direct investment.
He said there will be separate regulatory authorities established to oversee the decentralized ports, ensuring compliance with regulations and promoting fair competition.
“The ACT will improve efficiency, attract investment, and address the critical needs of each port and it’s surrounding” he said.
If the president signs in the coming days, the new law will transform Liberia’s port sector, foster growth, enhance efficiency, and boost domestic and international trade.
