By Sampson W. Weah
MONROVIA, Liberia — Maryland County District #3 Representative Austin B. Taylor has called on the government to take immediate steps to address the accumulation of stranded containers at APM Terminals, warning that continued delays could affect importers preparing to bring goods into the country ahead of the Christmas season.
Taylor made the call during a session of the House of Representatives, where members of the business community appeared before lawmakers to present concerns about challenges affecting their operations.
While acknowledging the technical solutions presented by the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), the Maryland County lawmaker said the immediate congestion at the country’s principal container terminal required direct government intervention.
He argued that increasing cargo-handling capacity would depend on removing containers currently occupying space at APM Terminals to accommodate incoming shipments.
Addressing the Minister of Commerce, Taylor sought clarification on what measures the government intended to implement to facilitate the release of containers already at the terminal. He noted that the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), which plays a key role in cargo clearance, was not represented during the engagement.
The lawmaker also questioned whether the Free Zone facility was adequately prepared to receive containers transferred from APM Terminals.
He specifically raised concerns about the availability of health inspection equipment, national security personnel, and appropriate software for recording, tracking, and cataloguing the containers.
Taylor cautioned that transferring cargo to an alternative location without the necessary operational infrastructure could create additional difficulties for importers and government agencies responsible for inspection and clearance.
He stressed that the priority should be to evacuate containers occupying space at APM Terminals so that other shipments can enter the country without further delays.
The representative placed particular emphasis on the approaching Christmas season, noting that businesses need sufficient time to receive their imported goods and prepare for increased commercial activities.
He maintained that securing additional vessels would not resolve the problem if there was insufficient space to accommodate incoming containers.
Taylor therefore urged the Ministry of Commerce, the LRA, and other relevant institutions to coordinate their efforts and develop an immediate arrangement that would improve cargo movement and prevent further delays.
His intervention highlights the operational challenges facing importers and raises broader questions about the capacity of Liberia’s port infrastructure to accommodate growing cargo movements, particularly during periods of increased commercial demand.
