PARIS, France – Liberia has taken another step toward modernizing its maritime sector after the National Port Authority (NPA) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with France’s HAROPA PORT, paving the way for cooperation in smart port technologies, infrastructure modernization and trade facilitation.
The agreement, signed Wednesday in the French port city of Le Havre, establishes a framework for long-term collaboration between Liberia’s National Port Authority and HAROPA PORT, France’s largest river and maritime port complex.
The partnership is expected to strengthen technical cooperation in key areas, including digital transformation, automated terminal operations, smart logistics systems, infrastructure rehabilitation, capacity building and sustainable maritime development.
The agreement was facilitated by the Embassy of the Republic of Liberia in France under the leadership of Ambassador Teeko Teeko Tozay Yorlay, Sr., who described the accord as another milestone in the expanding economic relationship between Liberia and France.
“This Memorandum of Understanding represents another important step in strengthening the longstanding friendship and economic cooperation between Liberia and France,” Ambassador Yorlay said. “Through this partnership, Liberia stands to benefit from world-class expertise in port management and technology, while opening new avenues for investment, trade and maritime cooperation between our two countries.”
The agreement comes as the National Port Authority intensifies efforts to modernize Liberia’s four commercial ports—Monrovia, Buchanan, Harper and Greenville—to improve efficiency, strengthen infrastructure and position the country as a more competitive regional trade hub.
NPA Managing Director Sekou A. M. Dukuly described the signing as more than a ceremonial event, saying it reflects a shared vision for building a sustainable partnership rooted in innovation and knowledge exchange.
He said the collaboration presents significant opportunities for Liberia to learn from one of Europe’s most advanced port systems while accelerating ongoing efforts to expand and modernize the country’s maritime infrastructure.
Dukuly thanked HAROPA PORT, the Le Havre Port Center, Ambassador Yorlay, the Embassy of Liberia in France and other stakeholders for making the agreement possible.
He expressed confidence that the partnership would produce tangible economic and operational benefits for both countries.
HAROPA PORT’s Director for International Relations, European Affairs and Strategic Foresight, Cedric Virciglio, welcomed the partnership, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in shaping the future of global maritime trade.
“HAROPA PORT is pleased to embark on this new partnership with the National Port Authority of Liberia,” Virciglio said. “We believe that cooperation, innovation and the sharing of expertise are essential to building the ports of tomorrow. This Memorandum of Understanding opens the door to meaningful collaboration that will benefit both institutions and contribute to the sustainable development of maritime trade between Africa and Europe.”
Under the agreement, both institutions will engage in regular consultations, exchange technical expertise and pursue future collaborative initiatives designed to strengthen port governance and operational efficiency.
The Memorandum of Understanding is non-exclusive but lays the foundation for expanded cooperation between the two port authorities.
HAROPA PORT, which integrates the ports of Le Havre, Rouen and Paris, is France’s leading maritime and river port network and the fourth-largest port complex in Northern Europe. The port connects Europe with nearly 650 ports around the world and is recognized for its expertise in integrated logistics, maritime transport and smart port technologies.
Liberian officials say the partnership aligns with the government’s broader strategy to modernize maritime infrastructure, improve trade facilitation and attract international investment as part of the country’s long-term economic transformation agenda.
