Port Stakeholders Confer On Digitization Process

APM Terminals Liberia organized a one-day retreat with key government agencies to provide information on how to use the Port Automation and Digitization (PAD) system, which is expected to be launched on August 10.

During the retreat, participants came from Liberia Revenue Authority, the National Port Authority, and MTS to review the end-to-end cargo release process at the Freeport of Monrovia, in preparation for the official launching. 

The goal of the retreat, according to the Head of Commercial of APM Terminals Liberia, Thomas Moore, was to promote a clear understanding amongst the staff of the major stakeholders within the port of how the fully digitized electronic cargo release process will work.

Speaking during the retreat, the Managing Director of APM Terminals Liberia, Jonathan Graham, said stakeholder engagement is at the core of rolling out an effective Port digitization process, hence the need for such collaborative meetings. 

He stressed that automation would enhance the cargo release process and reduce the time it takes to get goods out of the port, bringing efficiency and convenience to all parties, especially the Customs Brokers and importers.

“We consider this a major turnaround for the operations here at the Freeport of Monrovia, and it is the reason such strategic engagements with all stakeholders are important to the process. We all have distinct and important roles to play, as importers, customs brokers, Port operators, and government agencies. The only way to achieve this is to work together,” Graham remarked. 

At the retreat, the Liberia Revenue Authority and APM Terminals Liberia presented their preparedness to work together on the process. 

The Commissioner General of the Liberia Revenue Authority, Thomas Doe Nah affirmed his Authority’s full support and commitment to the process, adding that it is a critical phase of the Authority’s revenue mobilization agenda as it will increase the revenue-generating capacity of the LRA while making it easy and efficient for importers of goods to clear their cargo from the Freeport of Monrovia.

The PAD process has been a major strategic initiative on the agenda of the Port sector since the end of 2021. 

The official launch of the PAD is slated for Aug 10, at the Freeport of Monrovia.

The process is driven by the Liberia Revenue Authority and APM Terminals Liberia with the strong support of the Ministry of Finance and other key stakeholders.