By Hassan Osman Kargbo
Sierra Leone has taken a significant step toward strengthening its maritime and trade capacity with the official launch of a direct shipping route connecting Taizhou Port in China to the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown. The new route is expected to transform the country’s import and export operations while boosting its position within regional and global trade networks.
The initiative was unveiled during a ceremony attended by the Deputy Director General of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority SLPHA, Madam Judith B. Kosseh, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to China, His Excellency Abu Bakarr Karim, and senior executives of China’s Xiehai Group, the company that will operate the service.
Speaking at the event, Madam Kosseh described the launch as a major milestone in Sierra Leone’s maritime development and trade ambitions. She said the direct shipping connection demonstrates the country’s readiness to serve as a logistics hub for West Africa and signals growing confidence among international partners in Sierra Leone’s port infrastructure.
According to Kosseh, one of the most immediate benefits of the new route is the significant reduction in transit time. Shipping time between China and Sierra Leone has been reduced from about twelve weeks to just five weeks, a development she said will accelerate the movement of essential goods, raw materials, and capital equipment. She added that the shorter transit period will also reduce costs for businesses and improve the reliability of supply chains.
“This is a transformative leap for our trade infrastructure,” Kosseh said. “By cutting delays and improving efficiency, we are creating real value for importers, exporters, and investors while strengthening the overall competitiveness of our economy.”
Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to China, Abu Bakarr Karim, described the project as a product of sustained diplomatic engagement and strategic cooperation between the two countries. He noted that the direct shipping route reflects the shared commitment of Sierra Leone and China to translate bilateral relations into practical economic outcomes.
“This initiative will deepen Sierra Leone’s integration into global trade networks,” Ambassador Karim said. “It also reinforces our determination to use maritime connectivity as a driver of sustainable development, job creation, and private sector growth.”
Xiehai Group, a leading Chinese company specializing in ship transportation and integrated logistics, will manage operations along the new corridor. Representatives of the company said the service would offer Sierra Leonean importers faster and more predictable shipping schedules, allowing businesses to plan better and reduce uncertainty.
They added that manufacturers, traders, and entrepreneurs who rely on goods sourced from China are expected to benefit significantly, as the direct route improves access to supplies while lowering operational costs.
The leadership of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening port efficiency and attracting international logistics partners. Kosseh said ongoing efforts to modernize port operations and expand strategic partnerships are aimed at positioning Sierra Leone as a model of maritime efficiency in the sub region.
The Taizhou to Freetown shipping corridor is being widely welcomed by the business community as a game changer. It also aligns with the country’s Medium Term National Development Plan, which prioritizes ease of doing business, trade facilitation, and regional leadership in commerce.
For many Sierra Leoneans, the new route represents more than an improvement in logistics. It stands as a symbol of opportunity, resilience, and the country’s growing role in global trade and economic cooperation.
