Meridian Port Services Limited (MPS) has successfully completed the entire Phase 1 works of the Tema Port Expansion Project.
As per the terms of the Concession, the MPS Terminal 3 was expected to Go-Live on 28th June 2019 on two berths, and the entire Phase 1 works were due to be completed on 28th June 2020. Both due dates were successfully achieved, and works were completed ahead of schedule.
The new harbour basin was created on a three kilometres long beach directly on the Atlantic Ocean and right on the Meridian Timeline. Building into the sea from the beach, the breakwater root goes 1,550 metres into the ocean, with a two-kilometre long arm extending eastwards from the root of the breakwater, parallel to the quay wall. The 3,558 metres long breakwater is harbouring a vast 450 hectares (1,110 acres) of maritime waterfront.
The new harbour basin is accessible through a 3,500-metre long by 225 metres wide Entrance Channel, and into a turning basin/circle of 500m diameter. The Access Channel has been dredged to 18.7m, Turning Basin to 17.4m, and 16.9m by the quay wall to accommodate 16m draft vessels to dock alongside all berths.
The group indicated that a combination of great team work, sold project finance and determined shareholders were among the main contributors to the success in delivering this mega infrastructure ahead of the contractual date, and in 3.5 years (41 months).
A work force of 4,000, including personnel from the MPS, CHEC, EIFFAGE, CONSAR, and AECOM were engaged to construct the mega structure, and they collectively spent over 16 million man-hours to deliver this magnificent edifice ahead of schedule, within budget, and most importantly, with a fantastic safety record.
The Construction Manager, Mr. Matthieu Ferraro, recapped the composition of the work done with the collaboration of all contractors and their associates, which has resulted in a fully functional terminal.
“The Phase 1 scope of works included building a 1,000m long wharf, which consists of 3 berths and 98 hectares (242 Acres) terminal facility on land reclaimed from the sea, with all drainage, sewage, water, fire, electrical and IT services, 45 million paving blocks laid down, a 12 MW back-up power station, major facilities, including administration buildings for MPS and the Authorities, a maintenance workshop, a 60 bay unstuffing shed for Customs, six scanners, several gate facilities, a fire plant, sewerage treatment facilities, and 1,400 reefer container plugs.”
Commenting on the achievements, the Board Chairman of the MPS, Dr Edmund Osei Tutu Prempeh, remarked: “Today is truly a celebration of success; this edifice is evidence that when we put our minds to great things as a country we can achieve, because we have a dynamic human resource base as a nation. Each member of the team, from the management, and contractors to the operations team, has contributed massively to the completion of this edifice, which is now being fully manned by [a] local workforce. The responsibility of it living up to its expectation depends on the Operations Team. I have no doubt that they are squarely up to the task to complete our economic transformation to become a hub.”
Diverse workforce deployed
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MPS, Mr Mohammed Samara, said that the project has been a great experience for most of the work force, who were Ghanaians, touching on all aspects of engineering, spanning civil, geotechnical, marine, hydro, mechanical, electrical and electronics.
Expressing immense optimism that more gains could be made from all stakeholders working together, Mr Samara said: “This major development requires that each member of the port community works towards the common goal of reaching global standards through consistent long and short term efforts.”
He further stated that Since the Go-Live of Terminal 3 in July 2019, “we have witnessed a steady increase in productivity, and flow of container traffic with the implementation of the highly efficient integrated systems and operational processes, which has created huge benefits for freight forwarders, shipping lines, importers, exporters, and most importantly, creating the safe environment and providing sophisticated tools and technology in the hands of [the] respective authorities to enable them to effectively safeguard the state revenue and border security.
All the contractors also expressed gratitude to have taken part in building the marvellous facility, and were delighted to receive recognition for the quality they delivered.
The post Tema port expansion works, Phase One finished appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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