By Mackie M. Jalloh
Freetown Terminal Limited (FTL) has marked its 15th anniversary, with Chief Operations Officer Abubakarr Sesay reflecting on the company’s remarkable transformation from modest beginnings to one of Sierra Leone’s most vital maritime facilities.
Speaking at the celebration on March 13, 2026, Sesay described the journey as a story of sacrifice, resilience, and determination. He recalled how it all began in March 2011 when a delegation from Bolloré Africa Logistics visited the Sierra Leone Ports Authority (SLPA) to initiate operations under a new concession agreement. Sesay, then Container Manager at SLPA, was the first staff member approached to join the new venture, soon joined by colleagues Darell Coker and Eustace Carroll Garrick.
The early days were far from easy. “All we had was our knowledge, our personal laptops, and sometimes our own money to buy paper, pens, and ink,” Sesay recounted. Despite the lack of offices or equipment, the team successfully handled its first vessel, the RoRo ship Grande Buenos Aires, discharging 74 containers and 239 vehicles. Soon after, the Cecilie Maersk followed, marking the terminal’s entry into containerized cargo operations.
A major breakthrough came in July 2012 with the arrival of two Mobile Harbour Cranes, which significantly boosted efficiency and vessel turnaround times. Over the years, FTL continued to modernize, introducing reach stackers, forklifts, terminal tractors, computerized management systems, and enhanced safety protocols. The expansion of yard infrastructure and investment in training also paved the way for Sierra Leonean staff to rise into key operational and managerial roles.
Sesay highlighted the development of local expertise as one of the company’s proudest achievements. FTL even made history by producing the first local Chief Operations Officer within the AGL network, a milestone that has inspired similar initiatives across other terminals.
Today, Freetown Terminal operates modern ship-to-shore cranes, RTGs, and advanced handling equipment, enabling it to process thousands of containers each month. For Sesay, the transformation symbolizes more than infrastructure growth—it represents the perseverance of a team that built a world-class facility from scratch.
“From using personal laptops and buying our own stationery to operating world-class equipment, the transformation of Freetown Terminal has been extraordinary,” he said. “For those of us who were there from the beginning, it has been a journey defined by sacrifice, growth, and pride—one that continues to shape the future of maritime trade in Sierra Leone.”