About The Department

The department of Shipping and Maritime Services is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Freight Levy on manifest cargo at the Port of Banjul. This entails accurate levying, collection and proper utilization of funds generated from Freight Levies.

The department is also tasked to devise strategies and initiatives to enhance the shipping industry in The Gambia through fostering partnerships, promoting investments, and implementing polices that are conducive to growth and development.

It implements and enforces maritime service regulations in collaboration with relevant departments of GMA. This includes promoting and adopting best practices on safety protocols, environmental regulations and other relevant laws. It reinforces the enforcement of maritime service regulations with the establishment of mechanisms for monitoring, evaluating and reporting on the performance of maritime services and regulatory activities based on the type of licenses issued, to ensure effectiveness and compliance.

The department also oversees the administration of Aids to Navigation in Gambian waters along with hydrography and bathymetric services, to ensure the equipment are effective and adequately maintained. The aids to navigation are installed to ensure safety of navigation in Gambian waters which is in accordance with national law (the Merchant Shipping Act 2013) as well as in fulfilment of our international obligations as provided for in SOLAS 1974.

GMA has in place a regulation on maritime service providers which is the implementing mechanism for regulation of maritime service providers in the country.