SL Prefix and Three-Letter Location Code
A Sierra Leone UN/LOCODE combines the country prefix SL with a three-letter location identifier. Examples in this directory include SLFRE for Freetown and SLPEP for Pepel.
Seaports in Sierra Leone: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Sierra Leone has 7 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, supporting Atlantic shipping, mineral exports and regional cargo flows.
Review Sierra Leone port codes, indexed facilities, indicative trade lanes and available freight service options.
Sierra Leone Port Overview
Sierra Leone is an Atlantic-facing West African market whose maritime activity is concentrated around Freetown and a small number of coastal and industrial facilities. Ecer Freight coverage is an indexed port directory count, not a national port-authority traffic census.
7
Sierra Leone ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Nov 2026
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National seaborne cargo volume, 2025; official YoY change not published in the available public dataset
UNCTAD 2025
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Container throughput in TEU, 2025; official YoY change not published in the available public dataset
UNCTAD 2025
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Commercial port berths, 2025; official YoY change not published in the available public dataset
National port information · 2025
How many seaports does Sierra Leone have?
Sierra Leone has 7 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its Nov 2026 database snapshot.
What is the main port in Sierra Leone?
Freetown is the principal maritime gateway in the indexed sample, with UN/LOCODE SLFRE and an additional Freetown facility record identified as SLFNA.
Where is most Sierra Leone maritime cargo concentrated?
Most general cargo and container activity is typically associated with the Freetown area, while Pepel, identified by SLPEP and SLPPL, serves an important industrial and bulk-cargo role.
Top Sierra Leone Ports by Indexed Activity
The following directory ranking follows the Ecer Freight sample order, which reflects indexed business activity rather than a national TEU league table. Public 2025 throughput and year-on-year figures are not consistently disclosed for these individual facilities.
Indexed port sample and 2025 public throughput availability
Sierra Leone Port Regions
Freetown Area
The Freetown cluster is the principal urban and commercial maritime area in the indexed Sierra Leone sample.
Freetown-area facilities
Southern Coast
The southern coastal group supports local maritime access and coastal trade, with activity levels subject to cargo availability and vessel schedules.
Southern coastal facility
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonthe | SLBTE | Bonthe / — | Coastal, island and local cargo |
| Sherbro Island | SLSHI | Sherbro Island / — | Island and coastal maritime access |
Northwestern Industrial Coast
Pepel facilities are associated with Sierra Leone’s northwestern industrial and bulk-cargo geography, including Port Loko District.
Pepel and Port Loko District facilities
Sierra Leone Port Codes and UN/LOCODEs
Sierra Leone port identifiers use the country prefix SL under the UN/LOCODE framework. Facility-level records can distinguish locations that share the same city name.
City-Level and Terminal-Level Records
A city-level location and a terminal or facility record may appear as separate directory entries. Freetown is represented by both SLFRE and SLFNA in the indexed sample.
How to Verify a Port Code
Compare the code with the UNECE UN/LOCODE reference and cross-check the current directory on Ecer Freight Port Codes before booking.
Shipping from Sierra Leone: Main Trade Lanes
Sierra Leone shipping schedules and transit times depend on carrier rotation, transshipment planning, equipment availability, port operations and final delivery location. The routes below are indicative rather than guaranteed sailing schedules.
Sierra Leone to North Europe
A practical option for containerised exports and imports moving between Freetown and major North European gateway networks, generally with transshipment depending on the carrier.
Sierra Leone to Mediterranean
Mediterranean services can connect Sierra Leone cargo with southern European and North African markets through direct or hub-based carrier networks.
Sierra Leone to West Africa
Regional coastal services support distribution across West African markets, with sailing frequency and equipment availability varying by port pair.
Sierra Leone to Asia
Asia-bound cargo generally uses major transshipment hubs and is suitable for planned container movements, project cargo and selected bulk logistics.
Data Methodology and Sources
Port coverage, code presentation and trade guidance are separated from national traffic statistics. Where a reliable port-specific 2025 figure is not publicly available, the page shows an em dash rather than an estimated value.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party directory coverage of 7 Sierra Leone ports and terminals in the Nov 2026 snapshot.
- UNECE — UN/LOCODE framework and location-code verification reference.
- UN Trade and Development — international maritime transport and port-industry context; national port-level TEU data may not be available for every facility.
- World Bank — macroeconomic and logistics context used for country-level interpretation.
Sierra Leone Port FAQ
How many seaports does Sierra Leone have?
Sierra Leone has 7 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the Nov 2026 database snapshot. This is an indexed coverage figure and should not be treated as a national statutory port count.
What is the largest or busiest port in Sierra Leone?
Freetown is generally regarded as Sierra Leone’s principal commercial maritime gateway. The Ecer Freight sample identifies Freetown with SLFRE and also includes the Freetown record SLFNA.
What are the main Sierra Leone port codes?
The indexed codes include SLFRE and SLFNA for Freetown, SLBTE for Bonthe, SLKSY for Kissy, SLPEP and SLPPL for Pepel, and SLSHI for Sherbro Island.
Which Sierra Leone port region handles the most cargo?
The Freetown area is the main commercial concentration in the indexed sample. Pepel and Port Loko District have a distinct industrial and bulk-cargo role, while Bonthe and Sherbro Island support coastal and island access.
How current is the Sierra Leone port data?
The directory coverage was reviewed against the Nov 2026 Ecer Freight snapshot. National and port-specific traffic figures are shown for the latest complete year where reliable public data is available; otherwise, availability is stated explicitly.
How can a shipper request a Sierra Leone sea-freight quote?
Shippers can compare available FCL and LCL options through the relevant freight-rate pages. Final pricing depends on origin, destination, cargo details, equipment, sailing schedule, transshipment and current surcharges.
Editorial note: This Sierra Leone port page combines Ecer Freight’s first-party indexed port records with publicly available international maritime and logistics references. Port-code coverage and commercial guidance are reviewed quarterly, while throughput and service information may change as official releases and carrier schedules are updated.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Sierra Leone: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact