The Freeport of Monrovia

Liberia has four main ports: Monrovia, Buchanan, Greenville, and Harper. However, of these four, only Monrovia has the handling facilities necessary for commercial usage. Buchanan, Greenville and Harper ports are being used primarily for the logging trade.

Monrovia is Liberia's largest city and its administrative, commercial, communications, and financial centre. The city's economy revolves around its harbour, which was substantially improved by U.S. forces under lend-lease during World War II. In 1948 the first port capable of handling ocean-going vessels was opened; there are now several ports, including a free port. Main imports include building materials, general cargo and petroleum and exports cover bulk latex, cocoa, coffee, crude rubber, iron ore and timber. Manufactures include cement, refined petroleum, food products, bricks and tiles, furniture, and pharmaceuticals. Roads and an airport connect Monrovia with Liberia's interior.

Monrovia port enjoys Freeport status. In the free zone cargo can be stored in transit, free of duty, pending re-export to other West African states.

Monrovia Freeport has four piers and one main wharf. Three of the wharf's four berths are operational, while the capsized vessel Torm Alexandra [a 4,160 ton vessel capsized since 25 July 2001] occupies the fourth.

Click a picture to see a larger view.