The Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMARAD) has achieved its highest-ever positioning on the latest Paris MoU Flag Performance List, placing the registry at the top tier of the Grey List and within striking distance of the coveted White List status. Driven by a dramatic reduction in port state control detentions and rigorous technical oversight, the administration aims to leverage this regulatory milestone to support shipowners navigating both commercial growth and upcoming green shipping transitions.
Freetown | July 13, 2026 – In its most significant regulatory milestone to date, the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMARAD) has achieved its highest-ever positioning in the latest Paris Memorandum of Understanding (Paris MoU) Flag Performance List, moving the registry within striking distance of the coveted White List status.
The new rankings, which evaluate flag state compliance and Port State Control (PSC) performance based on inspections and detentions recorded over the three-year rolling period spanning 2023–2025, officially entered into force on July 1, 2026.
Why the White, Grey, and Black Lists Matter
For shipowners, bunkering providers, charterers, and maritime insurers, the Paris MoU rankings are the premier benchmark for risk assessment. Under the Paris MoU’s New Inspection Regime (NIR), a flag’s status directly dictates the Risk Profile of its vessels:
- White List (Low Risk): Vessels face less frequent inspections, minimizing costly port delays and streamlining cargo operations.
- Grey List (Medium Risk): Flags with average compliance. Vessels face standard inspection frequencies but are closely monitored.
- Black List (High/Very High Risk): Flags subject to rigorous targeting, frequent detentions, and potential multiple-port bans.
Technical Performance: Sierra Leone’s 2023–2025 Data Profile
During the 2023–2025 assessment window, Sierra Leone demonstrated a dramatic reduction in its PSC detention ratio. The data highlights a highly successful, targeted campaign by SLMARAD to purge substandard tonnage from its fleet:
Key Performance Metrics
- Total Port State Control Inspections: 172
- Total Detentions: 10
- Calculated Excess Factor: 0.33 (A lower factor indicates better performance)
- Current Status: Top-tier of the Grey List
- The “White List” Threshold: Under the Paris MoU’s statistical formula, reducing the cumulative three-year detention count by just four additional incidents would have secured Sierra Leone full White List status.
With these results, Sierra Leone has successfully outpaced several larger, long-established open registries on the Grey List, including Thailand, the Philippines, Egypt, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Rigorous Technical Oversight Drives Compliance
The registry’s steady upward trajectory is the direct result of a multi-year regulatory overhaul. Over the last three years, SLMARAD has implemented aggressive fleet-monitoring mechanisms, tightened audits on its delegated Recognized Organizations (ROs), and utilized predictive data modeling to address vessel deficiencies before they enter Paris MoU ports.
Mr. Alexandros Stylianou, Technical Manager of SLMARAD’s international office, noted “Improving Port State Control performance is not something that happens overnight. It requires consistent technical oversight, disciplined fleet management, and a long-term commitment to quality. These results demonstrate that the measures we have introduced are delivering measurable improvements and reinforcing confidence in the Sierra Leone Flag.”
Beyond strict compliance, SLMARAD’s strategic vision focuses on matching this regulatory triumph with the broader green transition in shipping. By fostering a high-performing registry, the administration aims to support shipowners navigating complex EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime compliance, proving that commercial viability and environmental sustainability can go hand-in-hand.
“While we are proud of this milestone, our ambition extends beyond improving our ranking,” added SLMARAD’s Business Development Manager. “Our objective is to provide shipowners with a reliable, efficient flag administration that supports safe operations and full compliance with international maritime regulations. We will continue building on this momentum as we work towards achieving White List status.“
About Sierra Leone Maritime Administration
The Sierra Leone Maritime Administration is responsible for the registration and regulation of ships flying the Sierra Leone flag. The Administration promotes compliance with international maritime conventions while supporting safe, secure, and environmentally responsible shipping through professional flag state services and technical oversight.
Furthermore, the Administration continues to advocate for investments in lower-emission maritime transportation, operating under the principle that sustainability and commercial growth are not separate ambitions, but must move forward together.
Source: Sierra Leone Maritime Administration