Port guide · UN/LOCODE SL FNA
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone · 8.50° N, 13.23° W
The World Port Index classes Freetown as a natural coastal harbor on the North Atlantic Ocean. It records a channel depth of 7.9 m and a cargo pier depth of 9.4 m. Norfolk is 7,050 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 7.9 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 9.4 m
- From Norfolk
- 7,050 kmGreat-circle distance
Depths and vessel limits
- Channel depth
- 7.9 m
- Anchorage depth
- 14 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 9.4 m
- Oil terminal depth
- 11 m
- Tidal range
- 3 m
- Maximum vessel beam
- 37.4 m
As recorded in the World Port Index. Gauges run from 0 to 25 m. Confirm current depths and limits with the port before you fix a vessel.
Facilities on record
Arrival and entry
Freetown is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.
- First port of entry
- Yes
- Pilotage compulsory
- Yes
- Pilotage advisable
- Yes
- Tug assistance
- Yes
- Tug salvage
- Yes
- Arrival notice (ETA message) required
- Yes
- Shelter afforded
- Fair
- Entrance restricted by tide
- Yes
- Entrance restricted by swell
- Yes
- Entrance restricted by ice
- No
Cargo handling
The heaviest lift class recorded is up to 24 tons.
- Wharves
- Yes
- Anchorage
- Yes
- Fixed cranes
- Yes
- Mobile cranes
- Yes
- Lifts up to 24 tons
- Yes
- Longshore labor
- Yes
- Railway
- Small
Services and supplies
Repair capability is rated moderate.
- Repairs
- Moderate
- Fuel oil
- Yes
- Diesel oil
- Yes
- Potable water
- Yes
- Provisions
- Yes
- Deck supplies
- Yes
- Engine supplies
- Yes
- Shore electricity
- Yes
- Medical facilities
- Yes
- Garbage disposal
- Yes
- Dirty ballast disposal
- No
- Airport
- Yes
US trade with Sierra Leone
- US exports, 2025
- $117.6MLed by vehicles and parts
- US imports, 2025
- $50.3MLed by ores, slag and ash
Sources
- US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
- Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
- Distances are great-circle distances computed from World Port Index coordinates, not sailing distances.
- Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.