Navigating a career path with APM Terminals Libera

An APM Terminals programme to upskill home-grown talent in Liberia is hitting the headlines in the West African country. The ‘Leaders of the Future’ initiative has nurtured the career of 34 future leaders since its launch a year ago.

The prospect of a record-breaking first for the country has seen Sam Jabbah, one of the ‘future leader’ trainees, featured in several national newspapers as he embarks on the latest stage of training to become the country’s first Liberian Marine Captain. 

Ready to ‘seas the day’

Sam began his career as an Ordinary Seaman (OS) eight years ago before becoming a Deck Officer, and Marine Services Coordinator with APM Terminals Liberia. 

He attended the South African Maritime Training Academy in Cape Town, the Maritime Professional Training in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Falck Safety Services in Houston, Texas and the Canarian School of Navigation and Maritime Safety in Tenerife, Spain.

More recently, he completed a course in Nautical Science at the Regional Maritime University of Ghana and obtained a Certificate of Competency (CoC) as an Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch from the Ghana Maritime Authority.

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Liberian leader

Since 2018, Sam has been leading and managing an all-Liberian Tugboat and Pilot boat crew, Mooring team, and other marine contractors at the Freeport of Monrovia.

He is responsible for optimising berth utilization and the safe handling of vessels in close collaboration with local, regional and national government regulatory agencies. 

Embarking on next steps

As part of strategic growth, APM Terminals Liberia will focus on developing local capacity in the pilotage and Marine sector. It’s a course which Sam is eager to help steer. “I’m passionate about empowering my fellow Liberians, and look forward to identifying and developing high potential talent myself,” he said.

APM Terminals operates in the Freeport of Monrovia on a 25-year concession. With a capacity of approximately 200,00 TEU per year, the terminal has facilities for General Cargo (Rice, Wheat, Cement, Clinker, Limestone, Gypsum etc), Project Cargo and Break Bulk, and provides pilotage and towing services.