Post a comment 
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Transport and Aviation, Ambassador Alhaji Fanday Turay Esq., has outlined sweeping maritime reforms and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to international maritime standards during the 34th Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which runs from November 24 to December 3, 2025.
Addressing global maritime leaders, experts, and representatives of member states, Minister Turay conveyed greetings from President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and emphasized Sierra Leone’s focus on strengthening maritime governance, improving safety at sea, and protecting the marine environment.
He said President Bio’s vision places strong priority on safeguarding lives and property on the water, adding, “One life lost at sea is one too many,” as he underscored the importance of safer conditions for seafarers and coastal communities.
Minister Turay highlighted Sierra Leone’s potential as a Flag, Port, and Coastal State, noting that the country’s expanding blue economy holds significant opportunities for sustainable development. He stressed, however, that achieving this potential requires stronger governance structures and wider international partnerships.
In his address, the Minister announced four major short-term priorities geared toward accelerating maritime reforms. These include strengthening national maritime legislation by domesticating ratified IMO instruments, implementing a National Hydrographic Action Plan to improve search and rescue operations and overall maritime security, adopting the IMO Single Window Platform to modernize and streamline port operations, and executing the IMO-approved Corrective Action Plan aimed at securing Sierra Leone’s return to the STCW White List, especially in crew training and certification.
While pointing to ongoing progress, Minister Turay acknowledged that challenges remain within the maritime sector. He called for continued support from the IMO Secretary General, member states, and international partners through technical cooperation and capacity-building programmes to help Sierra Leone fully meet global maritime standards.
The Minister ended his remarks by thanking the IMO leadership and member states for their continuous collaboration. He reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to contributing meaningfully to global maritime safety and environmental protection, and extended best wishes to the Assembly for a prosperous new year ahead.
