GPHA Gets $1.5 bln for Tema Port Expansion
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has received 1.5 billion dollars for the expansion of the Tema Port.
The authority today signed a 35-year Concessionary Agreement with the Meridian Port Services (MPS) to boost expansion activities at the port.
The Minister for Transport, Dzifa Attivor who witnessed the signing in Accra said the project will enhance the efficiency of the Port and make it more competitive.
The expansion project which is scheduled to be completed in three years includes plans for the potential construction of additional terminal facilities, including bulk, liquid bulk and general cargo terminals, as global trade with Africa continue to accelerate.
The multi-purpose facility will include a new 1.4-kilometre quay for four container berths with 16-metre draft and a 3.85 kilometres breakwater within a dredged port access channel, 19 metres deep and 250 metres wide to accommodate larger vessels.
Board Chairman of the authority, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo tells Joy Business the expansion works when completed would significantly ease congestion at the port.
“It would double or almost triple our ability to take more imports and exports. The over 5000 jobs that would be created, mostly would benefit Ghanaians. The sub-contracting that would be undertaken would benefit Ghanaians. We are all going to benefit enormously from this expansion project.”
“We are hoping that in the next 3 years, the first phase which is about two berths would be constructed. MPS would then move into the new berths whilst the existing ones MPS is using would be reverted to GPHA,” he added.
The project, which is the first of its kind since the construction of the port in 1962, will also include the construction of a railway terminal for the transportation of containers by rail to and from the port.
In a separate project, APM Terminals and Bolloré Africa Logistics will upgrade the current highway between Accra and Tema to a six-lane modern highway along with improved connecting roads and access point to enhance the movement of cargoes into and out of the port of Tema and the hinterland.
