By Marion (Rion) Bangura
The management and staff of Freetown Terminal Limited marked a significant milestone on 13 March 2026, celebrating 15 years of operations with reflections on the company’s transformation, tributes to its pioneering workforce, and recognition of long-serving employees who helped shape the terminal’s growth.
The anniversary ceremony brought together members of management, staff, and invited guests to commemorate the journey of the container terminal, which has grown from modest beginnings in 2011 into a modern port facility supporting maritime trade and economic activity in Sierra Leone.
Delivering the welcome and opening statement, Head of Human Resource Management Yvonne Elliot described the occasion as more than a celebration of time. Instead, she said, it was a recognition of the dedication, resilience, and sacrifices of individuals who built the company from the ground up.
According to Elliot, when operations began on 1 March 2011, the terminal started with a small team faced with a daunting task: establishing a new container terminal structure following the concession agreement between the government and the private operator. She recalled that resources were limited and that many of the early pioneers relied on their personal laptops and even their own money to purchase basic office materials in order to keep operations running.
“At that time, the foundation of the terminal had not yet been fully established, but what our pioneers had was commitment, knowledge, and determination,” she noted.
Elliot further explained that during the early stages of the transition from the Sierra Leone Ports Authority to the newly formed terminal operator, many staff members had already accepted new employment contracts but continued working from SLPA offices while the operational structure was being finalized.
She paid tribute to those early workers whose sacrifices helped lay the foundation for what has become one of Sierra Leone’s most important maritime facilities. Over the years, she said, the company has provided employment opportunities to more than 700 workers, while currently maintaining a workforce of over 400 employees.
“Today we celebrate the pioneers who started the journey, the teams who sustained it, and the new generation who will carry it forward,” Elliot told the gathering.
Also addressing the ceremony, the General Manager Maroun Abi Aad commended the workforce for their discipline, commitment, and sense of ownership that has driven the company’s progress.
He said the success recorded over the past fifteen years was not accidental but the result of teamwork and mutual respect among employees across all departments.
Abi Aad further shared a message from Captain Kokan, who was unable to attend the ceremony after his flight was cancelled. According to him, the captain asked that his appreciation be conveyed to the entire workforce for their dedication and contributions to the company’s development.
Reflecting on the terminal’s growth, the General Manager emphasized that the prosperity of the company directly supports the livelihoods of employees and their families, urging staff to continue working together as a team to achieve greater success.
Meanwhile, Chief Operations Officer Abubakarr Sesay provided a historical perspective on the company’s formation, recounting how a small team worked tirelessly to build the operational structure of the terminal from scratch.
Sesay recalled that the first vessels handled in March 2011 were the RoRo ship Grande Buenos Aires and the container vessel Cecilie Maersk, which were discharged using ship cranes under difficult operational conditions.
He noted that the arrival of two Mobile Harbour Cranes in 2012 marked a turning point that significantly improved productivity and vessel turnaround time, paving the way for further modernization through new equipment, improved infrastructure, and advanced operational systems.
Beyond infrastructure development, Sesay emphasized the growth of local expertise within the terminal, noting that many Sierra Leoneans have progressed from entry-level roles to become skilled equipment operators, supervisors, and managers.
The anniversary event also served as an opportunity to recognize the loyalty and contributions of long-serving employees. A total of 73 staff members were honoured with awards and certificates of recognition, each receiving a cash token of NLe 5,000 in appreciation of their years of service and commitment to the company.
Management described the recognition as a demonstration of gratitude for the dedication of employees who have remained with the organization through different phases of its growth.
As the ceremony concluded, speakers expressed optimism about the future of the terminal, noting that the achievements of the past fifteen years have positioned the company to continue playing a critical role in the modernization of port operations and maritime trade in Sierra Leone.
