Phase 1 of Tema Port Expansion Project has increased container handling capacity -MPS Boss

On June 3, the Meridian Port Services (MPS) held a ceremony to lay the last pavement blocks to mark the completion of Phase 1 of the Tema Port Expansion Project.

According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MPS, Mr Mohamed Samara, the completion of the project has instantly increased the container handling capacity of the Tema Port from one million to 2.5 million TUES.

“The project also guarantees us success in delivering the highest service levels to the maritime industry,” the CEO said.

Mr Samara stated in his address that “MPS will continue to improve the socio-economic fortunes of our communities, and nation at large, [and] create a safe and secure environment for the port community as we engage in investments that will grow our external connectivity to newer markets in the global transport sphere.”

Daniel Titus-Glover, Deputy Minister of Transport, who represented the Minister of Transport, commended the team for the good job, and said: “This is the reason why I have been very impressed with MPS’ investment in systems like the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Systems, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Systems, Scanners, Terminal Operating Systems (Navis 4), Truck Appointment Systems (TAS) and the Differential Global Positioning Systems (DGPS).”

Mr Titus-Glover said he was also pleased to learn that a host of Ghanaian workers were employed to complete these works, with each gaining some knowledge. The resource base of Ghana, including civil, electrical, maritime, architectural, geotechnical, has had its respective skills improved to match international standards, he added.

He, however, reminded the team not lose focus in investing in technology and “the constant maintenance and upgrade of our technology systems to guarantee the future of this port facility.”

The Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kyerematen, described the facility as vital towards Ghana’s post Coronavirus (Covid-19) disease economic recovery.

He said that Ghana stands to benefit from the global shifting necessitated by the Covid-19, as the project held significant positive implications for the nation

“Port infrastructure or port facilities are not an end in themselves, they are meant to be a means of facilitating trade. I believe that what we are seeing here today, and with the level of efficiency of the operations of MPS so far, within a very short period of time, I am very convinced that we would optimise the facilitation of trade in Ghana and in West Africa.

“So I am hoping that I can work with my colleagues in the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Finance to make Tema, and in particular, this facility, the next trans-shipment hub for Africa, and so we are going to put in place the necessary legislation and policy framework for this to happen, and happen quickly. It is only when this occurs that the whole concept for Ghana being the commercial hub of Africa will be realised.”

The Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), on his part, said that the Authority will make major investments to realise the full potential of Terminal 3, and continue to keep the port active in spite of the ongoing worldwide economic difficulties.

The Board Chairman of MPS, Dr Edmund Osei Tutu Prempeh, in his statement, said that he is convinced that “this is only the beginning of great things to come for the Port of Tema in becoming a driving force for the development of Ghana’s trade and industry.”

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