Tema port acquires bigger capacity bulk cargo jetty

A new bulk cargo jetty built at the Tema port with a capacity to hold four bigger vessels at any given time has become operational.

The jetty, which comes with adequate berthing space, will offer an attractive solution to terminal operators and further prevent bulk cargo vessels from staying on anchorage for longer periods as a result of inadequate space.

The facility, financed by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) at a cost of $132 million, has, therefore, increased the port’s vessel berthing capacity to 16 from the previous 12.

The new jetty comes with adequate handling space for importers who often source for raw materials such as wheat, clinker, coal and ammonium nitrate from the European and Asian markets.

With such imports increasingly favouring bigger vessels for economic reasons, the GPHA is of the view that the new jetty will entice larger vessels that will provide economies of scale for charterers, ultimately increasing the profitability of the port.

The Director of Port at the GPHA, Mr Jacob Kobla Adorkor, told the Daily Graphic in Tema that the new facility, with an 8.6-metre draft (depth), would make it easier for bigger vessels to navigate and sail easily out of the port.

Attractive solution

With the expectation of increasing business, Mr Adorkor said the new berths would increase cargo volumes and also enable the port to enjoy a more competitive advantage over other ports in the West African sub-region.

Already, some vessels that had used the facility, he said, had expressed interest to use it for the transshipment of vehicle cargo to neighbouring Nigeria and other parts of the sub-region.

“We are, however, yet to hold discussions with shipping lines that have expressed interest in using the jetty for transshipment,” he said.

Safety

The construction of berths, Mr Adorkor said, was likely to have a temporary impact on the marine environment.

Consequently, the construction debris, he said, was being cleared from the sea to minimise the environmental impact the project could have on vessel safety and marine culture.

He said crash barriers (concrete barriers) were also being fixed around the jetty as part of safety precautions for docking vessels.

The director was of the view that since the port’s reputation was largely dependent on its safety record and efficiency, there was the need to ensure that measures were put in place to safeguard such record, as damage might impact on its reputation and, by extension, its trade.

He expressed the hope that gains being made by the GPHA would position the country’s ports as the appropriate trade route in the sub-region.

Writer’s email: della.russel@graphic.com.gh