A faster, more cost-effective rice supply chain in Monrovia at APM Terminals Monrovia

New rice handling measures at the Freeport of Monrovia are improving efficiency and lowering costs across a vital supply chain

At the Freeport of Monrovia, a change in how rice is handled is reshaping one of Liberia’s most important supply chains. Rice is the country’s staple food, so even small changes to logistics costs can have a big impact on businesses and households.

In early 2026, APM Terminals introduced a set of measures aimed at reducing the cost and time associated with unloading rice shipments. Central to the change was a reduction in discharge handling fees of more than one-third, with charges dropping from about US$15 to US$10 per metric tonne. The new pricing structure took effect on 1 February 2026 and is expected to lower a significant portion of port-related expenses for importers.

From slow manual bags to faster pre-slung bundles

In the past, rice was discharged bag by bag, with workers handling individual 25 kilogram bags - a slow and labour-intensive process. Under the new system, rice is prepared at the port of origin in large “pre-slung” jumbo bundles, with about 100 bags grouped together. These bundles can be lifted in fewer, heavier moves by ship-to-shore cranes when the vessel arrives in Monrovia. This change has significantly sped up the work on the quay: discharge speeds have increased by about 70–80%, and the time ships spend at berth has been cut by more than half.

Impact on prices and supply

These changes at the Freeport also support the Government of Liberia’s efforts to make rice more affordable. In 2025, import tariffs on rice were suspended, lowering the tax portion of the final cost, but this did not address port-related expenses. The new approach focuses on those remaining costs by reducing handling fees, minimising delays, and improving efficiency at the berth.

As more vessels arrive with pre-slung cargo and the new system becomes standard, the goal is clear: a faster, cleaner and more predictable rice logistics chain that improves the chances for households to access their staple food at a fairer price.