Cement Prices at Risk Amid Prolonged Port Congestion and Rising Demurrage Costs
Cement prices in Ghana could rise as prolonged congestion at the nation’s ports continues to delay the discharge of clinker, a key raw material for cement production.
Industry stakeholders have warned that mounting demurrage costs, arising from vessels waiting between 13 and 20 days to berth, may ultimately be passed on to consumers if urgent interventions fail to ease the bottleneck.
The issue dominated an emergency meeting held on Monday, February 23, 2026, convened by the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, in collaboration with the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe. The session brought together cement manufacturers and key sector actors to address operational delays that have left clinker shipments stranded at the harbour for two to three weeks, causing significant financial strain on the industry.
Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers Ghana (COCMAG), Bishop Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah, described the situation as critical, noting that the cement sector is “leaking” financially due to escalating demurrage charges. He stressed that the longer vessels remain at sea awaiting berth space, the higher the costs incurred — a burden likely to be reflected in domestic cement prices.
While industry players acknowledged ongoing dredging works at the port, they appealed for immediate interim measures, including temporary access to additional berths and handling non-dust producing raw materials, such as gypsum and slag, at alternative berths to relieve congestion.
In response, Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe assured stakeholders that the government is fast-tracking dredging works to expand berth capacity and accommodate larger vessels. He explained that current berths are insufficient for bigger ships, resulting in longer turnaround times and persistent delays.
Mr. Nikpe added that, once completed by the end of June, dredging works will enable the port to handle vessels exceeding 20,000 tonnes, compared to the current 8,000-tonne capacity, significantly reducing waiting times. Portions of the works, particularly around Berth 14, are expected to be completed within one to two weeks, providing partial relief ahead of full completion.
Minister Ofosu-Adjare emphasised that port inefficiencies directly increase production costs, which in turn affect cement prices. “If we want good prices, we must also perform our part of the bargain to ensure that production costs remain efficient,” she said, noting that government’s focus extends beyond price control to resolving structural bottlenecks that affect industry operations.
The President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Pharm. Kofi Nsiah-Poku, commended the Ministers for their prompt intervention and collaborative approach, expressing confidence that interim measures and the full completion of dredging works by June would restore efficiency and reduce production costs.
Until these measures take full effect, industry stakeholders caution that continued port congestion and rising demurrage charges could exert upward pressure on cement prices, potentially impacting consumers.
