Key port information can also be found at the following links:

Maritime Database information on Liberia

National Port Authority of Liberia

Port Overview

The port of Harper is the smallest of the four sea ports in Liberia. The port is about 9.23 acres in size. The administrative building and the workshop are located at the south-eastern end of the port, the operations department is at the south- western part, while the pier is located at the north of the port. The port has a 100 meters long re–enforced concrete pier with an available water depth of 5.5 meters (at high tide) on both sides.

Port Pictures

Damaged Pier                                         Damaged Warehouse                             Administration Building                        Container Field

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

Port is currently being used to import food stuffs and construction materials from Monrovia. The port exports teak and rubber to Buchanan.

For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.4 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List.

Port Performance

Harper Port was established for exporting oil palm, rubber, and timber while at the same time importing machinery, building materials, petroleum products and other consumable goods to serve the people of south-eastern Liberia. However, since the civil war, these activities are no longer effective or functional. Presently, Harper Sea Port is now solely engaged in container movement and other general cargo handling for humanitarian services. Harper Port is virtually dormant with limited activities and is occupied with dilapidated buildings and old containers placed in the open field.

The port has:

• Draft limitation and it needs dredging,
• no storage facility and limited berthing facilities
• Therefore can only accommodate vessels with maximum draft of 5.5M.
• Presently there is no multipurpose vessel there by leading to no tug and pilot services at Harper Port.

There is no time wasted as vessels come and go at will. 

• Dredging is urgently required.
• Open storage is available.
• There is one conventional berth at this location.
• There are no navigational aids however fishing canoes are used to guide captains arriving for their first time to Harper.

The Port of Harper handled approximately 7000 MT in 2019.

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

N/A

Berthing Specifications

There is only one conventional berth in Harper Port, measuring 100 m in length with a maximum draft of 5.5 m.

General Cargo Handling Berths

There is only one conventional berth in Harper Port.

Port Handling Equipment

Harper Sea Port is owned by the Liberian Government and managed by the National Port Authority (NPA).  Presently the Harper Sea Port lacks the requisite port handling equipment that are needed for the day to day operation of the port. Additionally, there is no container terminal available as containers are exposed to the salt wind in the open field.

Container Facilities

No container terminal facility at Harper Sea Port. Containers are exposed in the open field at the port.

Customs Guidance

In the past, Customs appraised and examine Cargo before NPA delivered it to the consignees after the required payments had been carried out. Currently, Customs services are not yet available in the Harper Sea port. Meanwhile, NPA is conducting all the affairs of the Harper Port. Customs Officials and processes are available in Harper. However, not used by the port as all the traffic is domestic.

For information on Liberia Port customs guidance, please see the following link: 1.3 Liberia Customs Information

Terminal Information

Multipurpose Terminal

There is no multipurpose terminal at Harper Port.

Grain and Bulk Handling

Currently not available at the port. 

Main Storage Handling

The open-air storage area is 1050 m².

Stevedoring

Casual labourers are employed by the Logic Marine Agency, who are also used for handling teak.

Hinterland Information

Goods leave the port by means of local transport such as trucks and other vehicles.

Port Security

Security is managed by the Liberian Sea Port Police.