The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority and the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority have announced a series of strict enforcement measures aimed at improving the safety of container truck operations across the country following recent fatal road traffic accidents involving haulage vehicles.

In a joint press release issued on Monday, 11 May 2026, the two institutions said the decision followed growing public concern over unsafe haulage operations, particularly after a recent incident in which a fallen container vehicle reportedly caused the deaths of several people.

According to the statement, the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), and the Ministry of Transport and Aviation convened a high-level meeting to review safety standards governing the transportation of containerized cargo.

The agencies stated that although regulations guiding haulage operations already exist and are routinely monitored, operational lapses and enforcement gaps have continued to occur, resulting in what they described as “catastrophic consequences.”

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The statement further noted that disturbing videos circulating on social media, showing container trucks operating in visibly unsafe and unroadworthy conditions, reinforced the urgent need for stronger enforcement and additional safeguards.

As part of the renewed efforts to strengthen compliance and protect public safety, the authorities announced the immediate implementation of enhanced measures at the port and along haulage routes.

Under the new directives, trucks without valid licences, insurance, and other required operational documents will be denied access to the port, while vehicles without visible registration number plates will not be permitted entry.

The authorities also disclosed that handheld verification devices issued by the SLRSA will be deployed at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay gate to verify vehicle licences in real time.

In addition, trucks with worn-out or unsafe tyres, as well as vehicles without functional container locking mechanisms, will not be allowed to transport containers. The agencies warned that any truck found with improperly secured containers, faulty locking systems, or other safety defects would be immediately impounded and sanctioned in accordance with the law.

The statement further revealed that all container trucks will now be subjected to mandatory roadside inspections by SLRSA enforcement teams at designated checkpoints to verify tyre conditions, load security and overall roadworthiness.

The two agencies also announced plans to jointly engage the Indigenous Transport Owners Association (ITOA) to ensure strict compliance with the new directives.

As part of broader enforcement efforts, SLRSA said it would intensify operations to remove prohibited and unsafe haulage vehicles from public roads, while mobile enforcement patrols would be deployed along major haulage corridors to monitor compliance and respond swiftly to unsafe practices.

The authorities further stated that container trucks would be restricted to designated routes and operating hours where necessary, and warned that repeat offenders, including transport companies and individual operators, would face escalating sanctions, including blacklisting from port access and cargo handling operations.

According to the joint statement, the measures are intended to improve road safety, strengthen accountability in cargo transportation and prevent further tragedies linked to container haulage operations.

The SLPHA and SLRSA reaffirmed that public safety remains their highest priority and urged all transport operators, trucking companies, clearing agents and other stakeholders to fully comply with the new directives.

The agencies stressed that adherence to the measures is part of a collective responsibility to protect lives and property across Sierra Leone.