MONROVIA, LIBERIA-Deputy Minister for Roads and Rails at the Ministry of Transport, Rudolph Natt, says harmonizing port safety and security protocols across West and Central Africa is the way to unlock regional economic strength and achieve global competitiveness.
Delivering the keynote address at the 10th Annual Harbor Masters and Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs) Conference in Monrovia, Deputy Minister Natt urged delegates to treat ports as critical gateways in global logistics chains, rather than mere transit points, emphasizing that reliable port services require the full integration of safety and security into infrastructure.
He encouraged investment in resilience through infrastructure, innovation, and human capital, while drawing on the economic aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, which contracted regional GDP by 2.4% in 2020.
According to him, the region’s strategic advantage is being home to ninety percent of Africa’s population and fifty-four percent of coastal states, as a foundation to transform into a major global trade corridor.
The Deputy Minister for Roads and Rails at the Ministry of Transport was speaking in proxy for Transport Minister, Sirleaf Tyler, when he described Liberia as a symbol of self-determination in African history.
Meanwhile, the President of the Harbor Masters’ Network, NDI Bertrand, has stressed that West and Central African ports must act boldly and collaboratively to confront increasingly complex and transnational maritime risks.
Mr. Bertrand outlined six key challenges facing the region’s maritime landscape, emphasizing the need to adapt port infrastructure to meet the demands of the energy transition and accommodate the next generation of vessels.
He also raised concerns over coordination and sovereignty involving private security personnel aboard visiting ships, a situation he said requires clear protocols and collaborative oversight.
According to him, environmental sustainability must also be prioritized through improved management of ballast water and port waste issues that carry significant health and ecological implications.
He called for stronger handling procedures of dangerous goods, citing the necessity for updated regulations, enhanced infrastructure, and upgraded port personnel.
He was speaking at the opening of the 10th Annual PMAWCA Harbor Masters and Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs) Conference in Monrovia, under the theme Navigating the Challenges of Port Security and Safety, which is drawing over 150 delegates from 22 ports across 20 countries.
By: Joetta Nana Kulah
Education Reporter (ELBC)