Tema Port expansion project underway

Global Shipping Giant, Maersk Group and its partners, Meridian Port Services (MPS) are working on the design and tender processes to enable them to start the Tema Port expansion project.

The $1.5 billion project to be executed by the two shipping giants in collaboration with the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority (GPHA) is expected to position the Tema Port as the largest and most modern port in sub-Saharan Africa.

The expansion is expected to boost Ghana's trade and support an efficient flow of import and exports.

The Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Maersk, Mr Nils S. Andersen, told the Daily Graphic in Tema that officials of the two entities were awaiting the approval of the final agreement to start the physical infrastructure work, following the completion of preparatory works.

Mr Andersen, who was in Ghana to inspect the preparatory works and interact with officials of Maersk Ghana as part of the company’s 25th anniversary celebrations, said the concession contract ought to be signed before any physical work could commence.

“We cannot begin the major infrastructure component of the project until the final details in the public/private concession agreement with the government of Ghana is signed”, he said.

“We hope that can happen quickly, so construction can start in earnest”, Mr Andersen added.

He indicated that the road infrastructure component of the expansion project which involved the expansion of the Accra-Tema Motorway into a six-lane road and other auxiliary roads in the Tema Metropolis would help improve logistics efficiency.

New Container Terminal

Mr Andersen also hinted of the construction of a new container terminal as part of the expansion project to ensure a seamless transfer from the old container terminal in a bid to ease congestion from the various eliminate container terminals.

“There is no doubt about the tremendous importance the Tema Port expansion would bring to Ghana’s economy in the area of maritime trade, employment opportunities, among others”, Mr Andersen said.

“Ghana is important to the Maersk Group since it holds five per cent of Maersk Line’s business in Africa, which is quite a lot, and this is a country we would want to invest more in”, the Group CEO emphasised.

He also hinted of the group’s commitment to offer tugboat services in collaboration with its partners, Svitzer.