By Moses Kay Fembeh
The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) has strongly refuted media reports emerging from Nigeria that allege a container shipped from Freetown was discovered with cocaine upon arrival at a Nigerian port.
In a press release issued on 14th November 2025, SLPHA stated that it has not received any official communicationfrom the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) confirming the allegations. Nevertheless, the Authority has formally written to its Nigerian counterpart and is currently awaiting an official response.
The container at the centre of the controversy, bearing tracking number GCNU1332851, was reportedly linked to Sierra Leone. However, SLPHA’s internal records indicate that the container departed the Port of Freetown empty. To support its position, the Authority released a detailed timeline of events:
- The container was discharged at the Port of Freetown on 13 September 2025 from the vessel Grande Atlantico.
- It was released to its consignee on 8 October 2025 and returned empty to the terminal on 11 October 2025.
- Customs officials inspected and sealed the container on 24 October 2025, after which it was loaded onto the vessel Grande Ghana.
Grimaldi, the shipping company responsible for the container’s movement, has backed SLPHA’s account, confirming that the container was shipped empty and that all shipping documentation was in full compliance.
Additionally, Grimaldi’s Nigerian office reported that the vessel arrived in Lagos on 29 October 2025, with offloading operations concluding on 7 November 2025, the date the container in question was discharged.
SLPHA emphasized its commitment to transparency, accountability, and adherence to international maritime standards. It expressed concern that the allegations may have arisen from misinformation or procedural misunderstandings rather than any wrongdoing on Sierra Leone’s part.
The Authority urged both the public and international partners to avoid premature conclusions that could negatively impact Sierra Leone’s reputation within global trade and maritime networks, as it awaits further clarification from Nigerian authorities.
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