China is expanding its maritime influence in Africa through a partnership with Sierra Leone to establish a 50-ship commercial fleet, at a time when the United States is racing to rebuild its shipbuilding industry after decades of decline.
- Sierra Leone has launched a national shipping company, SLOSCO, in partnership with China's Zhejiang Xiehai Group, aiming to build a fleet of 50 vessels.
- Sierra Leone is now the third-largest merchant ship registry in Africa, behind Liberia and Nigeria, marking a shift from just ship registry to active commercial shipping operations.
- The partnership comes as the US seeks to revive its own shipbuilding industry, while Sierra Leone leverages Chinese expertise to strengthen its role in global maritime trade.
- The joint venture gives China a 70% stake and Sierra Leone 30%, with plans to operate regionally and internationally, transporting minerals, petroleum, and agricultural goods.
The agreement comes as China strengthens its grip on global shipbuilding, accounting for 56.1% of worldwide output in 2025, compared with virtually none for the US.
Sierra Leone, the latest African country to enter a Chinese-backed shipping partnership, ranks third on the continent for merchant vessels registered under its flag, behind Liberia and Nigeria, according to Global Firepower's 2026 rankings.
President Julius Maada Bio inaugurated the Sierra Leone Ocean Shipping Company (SLOSCO) on October 19, 2026, at Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown, marking the country's latest effort to expand its role in international maritime trade.
SLOSCO is a joint venture between China's Zhejiang Xiehai Group, which holds a 70% stake, and the Sierra Leone National Shipping Agency (SLNSA), which owns the remaining 30%.
According to maritime publication TradeWinds, SLOSCO plans to establish an initial fleet of 30 vessels before expanding to 50 ships, with its Chinese partner providing access to existing vessels and international shipping networks.
Sierra Leone expands shipping operations through Chinese partnership
The new company plans to transport minerals, petroleum products and agricultural commodities through Sierra Leone's ports, with operations expected to expand into regional and international shipping markets.
Speaking at the launch, President Julius Maada Bio said the initiative would give Sierra Leone a greater role in transporting its imports and exports, reducing its reliance on foreign shipping companies.
"For far too long, we have relied on international carriers to export and import our products. Today, we’re taking a bold step forward, giving Sierra Leone a greater stake in transporting the goods we trade with the world," Bio said.
Under the agreement, China's Zhejiang Xiehai Group will provide access to its existing fleet of 37 vessels, mainly bulk carriers, with five additional ships on order.
US moves to revive shipbuilding industry
US moves to revive shipbuilding industry
Sierra Leone's Chinese-backed shipping venture comes as the United States seeks to rebuild its shipbuilding industry after decades of decline, with Washington increasingly relying on foreign partnerships to restore domestic production.
In February 2026, the Trump administration unveiled a Maritime Action Plan backed by at least $150 billion in investment commitments, largely linked to cooperation with South Korea, while also pursuing shipbuilding partnerships with Japan.
The plan allows initial vessels to be constructed abroad before production shifts to American shipyards.
China, meanwhile, continues to expand its international maritime partnerships, including a $100 million maritime investment commitment in Indonesia in 2025 and proposals for shipbuilding facilities in Pakistan, alongside its latest shipping agreement with Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone ranks third among Africa's largest merchant ship registries
Africa is also part of this expanding maritime landscape, with several countries operating major ship registries that attract international shipping companies and support global trade.
According to Global Firepower's 2026 rankings, Sierra Leone has 584 merchant vessels registered under its flag, placing it third in Africa and 32nd globally.
Liberia leads the continent with 4,821 registered vessels, followed by Nigeria with 928, while Egypt and Tanzania rank fourth and fifth with 441 and 381 ships, respectively.
However, these figures represent vessels registered under each country's flag rather than those owned by domestic companies, as foreign operators can register ships in other jurisdictions.