Section 12, The Merchant Shipping Act, 2003

The following are qualified to be owners of Sierra Leonean ships which are to be registered under this Act—a) citizens of Sierra Leone; b) companies incorporated in Sierra Leone; c) foreign individuals or companies in joint venture relationship with Sierra Leone nationals or companies; d) companies incorporated offshore with a branch office or an agent in Sierra Leone; and e) nationals of any State. Ships bareboat chartered-in by Sierra Leonean charterers.