Freetown, Sierra Leone — In response to a spate of deadly road accidents involving container trucks, including a recent tragedy where a fallen container claimed several lives, the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) and the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) have rolled out stringent new safety regulations for container haulage operations.
The two agencies issued a joint press release on Monday, May 11, 2026, detailing the immediate implementation of enhanced measures following a high-level meeting with the Ministry of Transport and Aviation.
The announcement comes amid growing public concern over unsafe haulage practices and disturbing videos circulating on social media showing container trucks operating in visibly unroadworthy and dangerous conditions.
“These slippages… can and have resulted in catastrophic consequences,” the authorities stated, underscoring the urgent need to close enforcement gaps and strengthen compliance to protect lives and property.
Key New Measures
The joint directive introduces the following immediate actions at the Port and on public roads:
1. Port Access Control: Trucks without valid licences, insurance, and required operational documents will be denied entry to the Port.
2. Vehicle Identification: Trucks without visible registration number plates will not be permitted entry.
3. Real-time Verification: SLRSA-issued handheld devices will be deployed at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay gate to verify vehicle licences in real time.
4. Tyre Standards: Trucks with worn-out or unsafe tyres will not be allowed to transport containers.
5. Container Security: Trucks without functional container locking mechanisms will be denied cargo operations.
6. Mandatory Inspections: All container trucks will undergo mandatory roadside inspections by SLRSA enforcement teams at designated checkpoints to verify load security, tyre condition, and overall roadworthiness.
7. Impoundment: Any truck found with improperly secured containers, faulty locking mechanisms, or safety defects will be immediately impounded and sanctioned in accordance with the law.
8. Route and Time Restrictions: Container trucks will be restricted to designated routes and operating hours, with violations attracting penalties including suspension of operating licences.
9. Mobile Patrols: SLRSA will deploy mobile enforcement patrols along major haulage corridors for real-time monitoring.
10. Escalating Sanctions: Repeat offenders — including transport companies and individual operators — will face stricter penalties, such as blacklisting from Port access and cargo handling operations.
The agencies also announced they will work closely with the Indigenous Transport Owners Association (ITOA) to ensure full industry compliance.
Focus on Public Safety
The SLRSA and SLPHA emphasized that these measures are designed to improve road safety, enhance accountability, and prevent further tragedies linked to cargo transportation.
“The SLRSA and SLPHA reaffirm that public safety remains paramount,” the statement concluded. “All transport operators, trucking companies, clearing agents, and stakeholders are strongly urged to fully comply with these directives as part of a collective responsibility to protect lives and property.”
The new rules take immediate effect.
