The Freeport of Monrovia is the largest in the Authority's Network. The United States Military built the port during World War II for strategic purposes. It handles most of the country's imported cargoes. Two breakwaters, 2,359m and 2,200m long, protect the harbour, enclosing a basin of 300 hectares of protected water. The general cargo berth, (the main pier), consists of an opened piled, 610m long by 11m wide marginal wharf with a reinforced concrete deck. The main wharf serves 2nd and 3rd generation coastal and mainline vessel.An act of Legislature established the National Port Authority in 1967 (amended in 1970) as a state-owned enterprise to manage, plan and develop all ports in Liberia. The Authority manages four ports, namely, the Freeport of Monrovia, the Port of Buchanan, the Port of Greenville and the Port of Harper.

The Port of Buchanan is located 170miles South-east of Monrovia. The Liberia-American Swedish Company (LAMCO), a joint venture company, constructed the port in 1960 for the export of iron ore deposits of the Nimba Range. Two break waters, 1,890m and 590m long to protect the harbour. Inside the basin, a 225m long ore-loading quay is located to the deeper section of the harbour basin with a water depth of 12.95m below chart datum. Adjacent to the loading quay, a waiting berth for ore carrier is available. On the inner side of the secondary breakwater, a commercial quay 334m long is located with an available water depth of 10.15m below chart datum. The access channel to the port provides ship a water depth of 14.95m below chart datum and a channel width between the breakwaters of 210m.


The Port of Greenville is also located in the South-eastern region of the country, Sinoe County, about 421 miles from the Freeport of Monrovia. A 400m long breakwater protects the harbour. There are two quays (70m and 180m long respectively) on the inner side of the breakwater for berthing facilities, with an existing water depth of 6m below chart datum. The port was rehabilatated in the early eighties with loan from the German Development Fund. The port functions mainly as an outlet for the timber industry.


The Port of Harper is situated in the South-eastern region of Liberia, Maryland County, near the border with the Ivory Coast, about 476 miles from the Freeport of Monrovia. The Port was constructed in 1959, on the rocky Russwurn Island, by connecting the island to the mainland with a causeway and by constructing a 150m long breakwater off the Russwurn Island. A 100m long reinforced concrete pier with an available water depth of 5.50m provides berthing facilities. The port serves the timber industry of the South-eastern hinterland.
 
  

Vision

In partnership with public and private sectors, the 2009-2010 strategic vision is for the National Port Authority to become the premier port in West Africa. In parallel, NPA will strengthen economy, improve international trade, spur tourism and community development by marking its ports entry and surrounding areas the most efficient and effective for generations to come. 

Social Responsibilities

Being a vital part of the community means being a good, responsible neighbor. In support of this mission, the Ports Authority of Monrovia is rich in consumers, industries, and all drivers of trade. Nearly 25 thousand people live within 10km of the Port of Monrovia. This burgeoning base of consumers is bolstered by a strong market base of industries. The Port of Monrovia is particularly strong in providing basis essential commodities for the surrounding communities as well as the economy. For the first time in a port-related mitigation plan, the Port Authority has included measures to address the “people” impacts in preparing a new container terminal in addition to traditional environmental programming. The Port Authority, the City of Monrovia and surrounding neighborhoods worked together to ensure the most positive impact from the new port perspective. Their efforts culminated with this new dispensation have creating more jobs thereby affecting the lives of people and their surrounding communities.