The Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) recently hosted a high-level working visit by officials of the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) and the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) from 12-13 January 2026, aimed at advancing Sierra Leone’s national hydrographic agenda and strengthening the safety of navigation within its maritime domain.
The visit served a dual and strategic purpose. On one hand, it was a follow-up by the UKHO to discuss the status of implementation of Sierra Leone’s Hydrographic Action Plan (HAP) – a nationally endorsed roadmap that was jointly developed following the National Hydrographic Governance Workshop hosted by SLMA and facilitated by UKHO in March 2025. On the other hand, the visiting IHO official used the meeting to explore pathways and requirements for Sierra Leone’s prospective membership of the IHO.
Receiving the delegation, the Executive Director of SLMA, Dr. Daniel Kaitibi, underscored the critical role of hydrography in ensuring safe navigation, protecting the marine environment, and supporting port development and maritime trade. He acknowledged the longstanding technical support provided by UKHO and highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration with both UKHO and IHO in building Sierra Leone’s hydrographic capability.
Dr. Kaitibi further reaffirmed Government’s commitment to pursuing membership of the International Hydrographic Organization, noting that accession would significantly enhance national capacity, improve compliance with international standards, and strengthen Sierra Leone’s integration into the global hydrographic and maritime safety framework.
Representing the IHO, Dr. John Nyberg emphasized the importance for coastal States to harness modern hydrographic technologies and institutional cooperation to meet their international obligations. He highlighted the value of regional and international collaboration in hydrographic data management and capacity building, particularly for developing coastal States.
Speaking on behalf of the Administration, the Deputy Executive Director of SLMA, Mr. Emmanuel B. A. Lansana, expressed appreciation to the UKHO and IHO teams for their engagement, and continued commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s hydrographic development. He reaffirmed SLMA’s resolve to fully utilise the outputs of the hydrographic surveys and governance processes to enhance maritime safety, navigation systems, and port operations.
A key component of the visit was a technical working session of the Seabed Mapping Committee (SMC) on the second day. The SMC was established as a direct outcome of the HAP, and comprises maritime stakeholders from the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA), the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), the Office of National Security (ONS), the Sierra Leone Navy, the National Minerals Agency (NMA), the Sierra Leone Meteorological Department, the Sierra Leone United Boat Owners Association, the University of Sierra Leone, and other relevant institutions. During this session, the UKHO delegation presented updates so far made to Sierra Leone’s nautical charts using available survey data.
The engagement reinforced the Committee’s role as the national coordination
platform for seabed mapping and hydrographic data governance. The UKHO team emphasised the significance of collecting hydrographic data that meets international standards set by the IHO and sharing such data with the PCA to update the country’s navigational chats as this enhances safer navigation and protection of the marine ecosystem. The Committee also discussed mechanisms for strengthening inter-agency collaboration and capacity development.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Lansana commended members of the SMC for their dedication and encouraged sustained engagement, noting that consistent reporting and coordination would be critical to the successful implementation of the HAP. He also commended the UKHO partners for the updated charts and their commitment to further strengthening the capacity of the SMC.
The delegation also paid a courtesy and technical visit to the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority, where discussions focused on the application of hydrographic data to port operations, navigational safety within port limits, and ongoing port infrastructure development – highlighting the importance of coordinated planning among maritime institutions.
