Cement firms warn of price hikes as clinker ships stall at port
The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has convened talks with cement manufacturers and port authorities to address mounting congestion at the harbour that has left clinker shipments stranded and exposed producers to heavy financial losses.
The emergency meeting, held on February 23, 2026, in collaboration with the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, focused on persistent operational bottlenecks that have delayed the discharge of clinker, a critical raw material in cement production, for as long as two to three weeks.
Industry players say vessels carrying clinker are currently waiting between 13 and 20 days to berth, attracting substantial demurrage charges. They warned that if the situation persists, the additional costs could ultimately be transferred to consumers through higher cement prices.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers Ghana, Bishop Dr George Dawson-Ahmoah, described the situation as dire, saying the industry is “leaking” financially under the weight of escalating demurrage costs.
Manufacturers acknowledged that dredging works are ongoing at the port but appealed for interim relief measures. These include temporary access to additional berths and permission to handle non-dust producing raw materials such as gypsum and slag at alternative berths to ease congestion.
Responding to the concerns, the Transport Minister assured stakeholders that dredging works are being accelerated to expand berth capacity and accommodate larger vessels. He explained that existing berths are unsuitable for bigger ships, resulting in extended turnaround times and vessel queues. Upon completion of the works, expected by the end of June, the port will be able to receive vessels of more than 20,000 tonnes, compared with the current 8,000-tonne limit, significantly reducing traffic and delays.
He added that sections of the dredging operation, particularly around Berth 14, are expected to be completed within one to two weeks, offering partial relief ahead of full completion.
In her remarks, Mrs Ofosu-Adjare stressed that government intervention is not solely about preventing price increases but about addressing systemic inefficiencies affecting industry operations.
“If we want good prices, we must also perform our part of the bargain to ensure that production costs remain efficient,” she stated.
She underscored that even a single day of operational delay can translate into millions of dollars in losses for businesses, reiterating her Ministry’s readiness to act swiftly when industry challenges arise. She expressed confidence that tangible improvements would be visible within a fortnight and pledged sustained collaboration between the Ministries, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and industry stakeholders.
President of the Association of Ghana Industries, Pharm. Kofi Nsiah-Poku, commended the Ministers for their prompt engagement and cooperative approach. He said the anticipated interim measures, together with the completion of dredging by June, should restore operational efficiency and reduce production costs, potentially allowing manufacturers to pass savings on to consumers.
The meeting concluded with renewed assurances from all parties to safeguard the competitiveness and stability of Ghana’s cement industry, amid optimism that the current port congestion will ease before mid-year.
