MPS commissions new Berth at Tema Port; the fourth in its port expansion project
The Meridian Port Services (MPS) has commissioned a newly constructed berth at the Tema Port.
The new berth is the fourth in MPS’ Tema Port expansion project.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Port’s fourth berth, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MPS, Mohamed Samara, remarked that aside the new berth, other container handling equipment and an additional 16 gantry cranes (3 STS and 13 eRTG) were on order to meet growing container traffic demands.
Describing the new fourth berth as not the end of the Tema Port expansion project, Mr Samara outlined the growth of the company and the investments made so far, emphasizing on the company’s vision to harness the location of the Tema Port along with its enabling factors to become the first-port-of- call and a transhipment hub.
“The anticipation was for transhipment to grow with us and here we are, we have done it. Since our establishment, we have carried along the values of safety, security, health, environment, and welfare of human resource. We still hold high these values hence the EDGE certification (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiency, an innovation of IFC, a member of the World Bank Group) ISO Management Systems ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 covering quality of service, environment and the occupational health & safety including the Pedestrian-Free Terminal concept that was created by MPS over 10 years ago as well as the recent 2-Stars Green Terminal accreditation received.“
He further intimated that the capacity has been doubled since starting operations in Terminal 3.
“This has not only driven gateway cargo market growth in Ghana but also driven the increase of transit and transhipment trade. We have secured intercontinental transhipment volumes connecting the Far-East trade routes with the East Coast of the Americas and also southern African trade with Europe.“
The Director-General for the Port Authority, Mr Michael Luguje promised that GPHA will continue to create a business-friendly environment for all stakeholders.
“GPHA is satisfied with the progress that has been made. As a landlord and shareholder of MPS, we will continue to provide an enabling environment for container business to thrive, for Ghana’s ports to be the most efficient, most attractive and most secure”, he said.
Also speaking at the commissioning was the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Michael Okyere Baafi, who described the MPS facility as an interplay between infrastructure, industrialization and service sectors providing an important platform for import and export transactions to support development.
“The development of an efficient and integrated multi-modal infrastructure plays a critical role in reducing trade costs and enhancing competitiveness to promote intra- regional trade. The development of trade –related infrastructure is therefore critical for the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement,” he stated.
The Board Chairman of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Mr Isaac Osei also disclosed that GPHA’s goal was to ensure the transformation of the port facilities to world-class standards by partnering with private stakeholders to improve on the quality of services rendered in the port.
“Terminal 3 is no doubt an impressive world class facility and a perfect example of a successful business partnership between GPHA and its investment partners in MPS. It is laudable that the partnership between GPHA and other shareholders of MPS has thrived and we thank all who worked tirelessly and dedicated time and resources to provide this logistics platform to enhance Ghana’s trading links with the rest of the world.”
He also added that the security of the ports is a priority for GPHA as more tugboats have been acquired and that GPHA is working with the security agencies in the country to enhance maritime security.
The Deputy Minister of Transport, Hon. Frederick Obeng Adom, delivering a speech mentioned that the systems provided by MPS with the support of other port stakeholders has harmonized and improved port clearance system by ensuring seamless, convenient and quick turnaround time in the port clearance processes.
He alluded that new investments in technology and the maintenance of existing technology such as what has been put together in MPS was critical to port operations especially in these times. Government, he said was working on improving transit trade.
“Another facility of the port efficiency within the context of the transit trade is efficient transport access and connectivity to the port. Best practice requires that Port Infrastructure investment is complemented by an efficient transport network to facilitate movement of cargo in and out of the port. I am happy to announce that the Ministry is working on several projects. All these projects are part of efforts by government to upgrade our transport infrastructure to achieve the needed synergies and efficiency of our transport logistics value chain.”
Celebrating the achievements of MPS, the Board Chairman, Nana Osei Tutu Prempeh charged MPS Management to increase the productivity to necessitate the construction of a fifth berth.
“In order to maintain our leadership within the sub-region, there is the need for commitment from management and staff of MPS not to relent on our oars. Efficiency is the hallmark of success and our compliance with ethics and good corporate governance practices and structures would sustain the company for generations to come.”
Construction of the MPS Terminal 3 started in 2016 and was inaugurated in 2019. The 400-meter-long 4th Berth of Phase 2 adds up to the 1000 meters of Phase one currently being operated. The 2nd Phase was originally scheduled to be completed in the middle 2022.
The Port of Tema remains Ghana’s largest and busiest port serving not only the nation but also acts as a transit point for many landlocked countries to Ghana’s north.
MPS through its shareholders has since 2007 invested over 1 billion USD in the areas of infrastructure, technology, human resource development and other areas resulting in increased cargo volumes and positioning of the port as the most preferred in the West African sub-region.
