Antwerp, Belgium – Managing Director of the National Port Authority (NPA), Sekou A. M. Dukuly, used the Liberia–European Union Business Conference in Antwerp to advance what he described as a structured transformation agenda for Liberia’s port sector.
On the margins of the conference, Dukuly and his delegation held technical discussions with senior officials of Port of Antwerp International, drawing on the institutional expertise of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges — one of Europe’s most technologically integrated port systems.
According to the NPA, the talks focused on governance modeling, operational optimization, phased infrastructure rehabilitation, and capacity-transfer mechanisms designed to produce measurable institutional impact rather than short-term advisory support.
Ports as Economic Pressure Points
Dukuly underscored the strategic role of Liberia’s major ports — the Freeport of Monrovia, the Port of Buchanan, and the Port of Greenville — describing them as central to national economic stability.
“Cargo throughput influences food prices. Vessel turnaround affects industrial supply chains. Concession discipline shapes investor confidence,” Dukuly noted during the engagement.
He outlined a five-point reform doctrine centered on infrastructure modernization aligned with market demand, strengthened concession oversight, digital systems integration, operational efficiency benchmarking, and technical capacity development for Liberian professionals.
“We are not pursuing cosmetic reform,” Dukuly stated. “We are pursuing structured transformation — phased, measurable, and financially disciplined.”
Three-Pillar Engagement Framework
The NPA’s engagement strategy, as presented in Antwerp, rests on three core pillars: development of a realistic, long-term master plan for the Freeport of Monrovia tied to commercial projections, institutional reinforcement to entrench transparency and regulatory clarity, and skills transfer to ensure sustained growth in local technical expertise.
While expressing openness to partnership arrangements — including technical advisory structures — Dukuly emphasized that governance integrity remains non-negotiable, particularly where advisory functions intersect with investment interests.
He stressed that any collaboration must operate within clearly defined scopes, deliverables, and performance benchmarks.
Repositioning Liberia’s Maritime Sector
The NPA said its participation at the Liberia–EU Business Conference reflects a broader effort to reposition Liberia’s maritime gateways within global best-practice frameworks while aligning reforms with national development priorities.
“In Antwerp, the message was clear,” an NPA official noted. “Liberia’s ports are entering a new phase — disciplined, strategic, and accountable.”
The engagement signals a shift from incremental operational adjustments toward a structured modernization agenda aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and long-term sustainability across the country’s port infrastructure.
