Tema Port To Be Expanded
Ghana President John Dramani Mahama has launched the start of major expansion works at the Tema Port, near Accra, according to local reports.
This ambitious project involves an upgrade and significant expansion of Ghana’s main seaport. The project is a Public Private Partnership between the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), representing the Ghana Government and Meridian Ports Services (MPS).
The Port Of Tema Is the largest port in Ghana. Situated on the eastern coast of the country it stretches over a 3.9 million square metres of land area. The port receives an average of over 1650 vessel calls per year. These comprise container vessels, general cargo vessels, tankers, Ro-Ro and cruise vessels amongst many others.
85% of Ghana’s trade is done through the ports with shipping routes and vessel calls to and from all continents through both direct and transshipment services.
President, who performed the commissioning ceremony, was hopeful the project would position the Tema port as one of the leading ports in turn-around time and capacity in Africa.
He has commissioned the $1.5billion Tema Port expansion project which is considered as the biggest investment of the almost 70yrs history of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group.
“Government’s vision has been to position the ports of Ghana as the trade and investment gateway to the West African sub-region. I have never hidden my vision for making Ghana the hub for maritime and aviation transport in West Africa,” Mahama stated.
The expansion is expected to increase the capacity of the port of Tema to three times its current size.
