Africa-Press – Liberia. The National Port Authority has welcomed the outcome of a high-level strategic partnership dialogue held on March 31, 2026, at the Embassy of Liberia in France, describing it as a significant step in advancing Liberia’s maritime diplomacy and global port cooperation efforts.
The discussions brought together Liberia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to France, Teeko Tozay Yorlay Sr., and Cedric VIRCIGLIO, Director for International Relations, European Affairs and Strategic Foresight at HAROPA PORT.
The engagement focused on establishing a sister port relationship between Liberia’s National Port Authority and HAROPA PORT, one of Europe’s leading integrated maritime and logistics systems.
Formed in 2021 through the merger of the ports of Le Havre, Rouen, and Paris, HAROPA PORT operates along the Seine corridor and plays a central role in facilitating international trade through a network of maritime shipping, inland waterways, rail freight, and industrial logistics.
Its decision to enter formal partnership dialogue with Liberia signals growing international confidence in the country’s port reform agenda.
Officials of the National Port Authority said the Paris engagement reflects the practical implementation of the institution’s RESET Strategic Plan for 2025 to 2030.
The plan is built on five key pillars, including revenue optimization, operational efficiency, safety and security, environmental sustainability, and technological modernization. According to the Authority, the proposed cooperation framework with HAROPA PORT aligns directly with these priorities.
As part of the discussions, HAROPA PORT committed to preparing a draft Memorandum of Understanding within two weeks. The anticipated agreement is expected to cover areas such as capacity building, professional training, technical knowledge exchange, port modernization, and support for addressing operational and equipment needs at Liberia’s ports.
The National Port Authority emphasized that these areas of cooperation are central to ongoing efforts to upgrade the Freeport of Monrovia and other port facilities to meet international standards. Officials described the alignment between the RESET Plan and the proposed partnership as deliberate and strategic.
The Authority also credited the progress to the reform leadership of its Managing Director, Sekou A.M. Dukuly. Since assuming office, Dukuly has led a series of institutional reforms aimed at improving transparency, strengthening governance, enhancing workforce capacity, and fostering stakeholder engagement.
According to the National Port Authority, these reforms have significantly improved Liberia’s credibility within the global maritime sector. The willingness of HAROPA PORT to pursue formal cooperation, host technical delegations, and engage in site assessments is seen as a reflection of growing trust in Liberia’s port management and long-term vision.
The Authority further noted that the Paris dialogue aligns with broader national development goals under the administration of President Joseph Nyumah Boakai.
The engagement supports the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which prioritizes international partnerships and economic cooperation as key drivers of national growth.
Ambassador Yorlay, during the discussions, underscored Liberia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with France through institutional collaboration and people-to-people exchanges. Officials say this coordinated approach between diplomacy, port reform, and national policy signals a unified development strategy to international partners.
The National Port Authority reaffirmed that Liberia’s ports, particularly the Freeport of Monrovia, are open to global investment and technical partnerships.
It described the Paris dialogue as the beginning of a structured and results-oriented collaboration expected to deliver tangible benefits for port operations, workforce development, and infrastructure modernization.
The Authority commended Ambassador Yorlay for his diplomatic leadership and pledged full institutional support to advance the partnership.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government entities to ensure the successful implementation of the anticipated agreement.
The National Port Authority of Liberia remains the statutory body responsible for the administration and development of the country’s ports, including the Freeport of Monrovia and the Port of Buchanan. Under its RESET Strategic Plan, the Authority continues to pursue modernization, efficiency, and expanded international cooperation in support of Liberia’s economic transformation.
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