MPS Completes Phase 2 of Tema Port Expansion Project Cementing Ghana’s Role as West Africa’s Trade Hub
Meridian Port Services Ltd (MPS) has officially completed and handed over Phase 2 of the Tema Port Expansion Project, marking a major milestone in Ghana’s maritime and logistics development.
The latest phase adds an additional 270,000 square meters of terminal space to the existing one million square meters already in operation, reinforcing Tema Port’s status as one of West Africa’s most advanced and strategically positioned trade gateways.
The project was delivered by a joint venture between De Simone Ltd. and EIFFAGE Génie Civil Marine SA, with AECOM serving as the project management consultant.
Safety Milestone and Local Impact
The handover ceremony celebrated both engineering achievement and exemplary safety performance, with the construction phase recording 2.5 million safe man-hours without a single Lost Time Injury (LTI) — an industry benchmark for large-scale maritime works.
Mr. Ernest Lartey, AECOM’s Project Manager, commended the project teams for maintaining “discipline and a safety-first culture” since construction began in June 2023.
Mr. Gregory Le Roux, Project Director for the contractor joint venture, also highlighted the project’s contribution to local employment, noting that over 600 Ghanaians were engaged at its peak, gaining valuable skills in maritime infrastructure development.
“The team laid an impressive 13.5 million pavement blocks, a testament to both endurance and teamwork,” he added.
A Personal Milestone for the CEO
For Mr. Mohamed Samara, Chief Executive Officer of MPS, the completion of Phase 2 carried personal and national significance.
He described the handover as “the greatest birthday gift of my life,” emphasizing that the project represents both MPS’s growth and Ghana’s progress in global trade competitiveness.
“We are delivering a fabulous investment to our beloved Ghana,” Mr. Samara stated, expressing gratitude to contractors, subcontractors, and the MPS management team.
The Phase 2 development also includes a spare parts warehouse and a marine courtyard constructed by CONSAR Ghana Ltd., with an export inspection platform expected to be completed before the end of 2025.
With the expansion, the terminal now spans 1.27 million square meters (127 hectares) — all reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean — underscoring Ghana’s capability in modern port engineering and large-scale reclamation.
Powering the Future of Trade
To support the expanded operations, MPS has installed three new KOHLER power plants, each equipped with 16-cylinder turbocharged, emission-optimized engines capable of generating 4,500 kVA, and stepped up to 20,000 volts. These plants will provide stable and sustainable electricity to ensure round-the-clock efficiency at both the yard and the waterfront.
In a symbolic transition, Mr. Lartey of AECOM handed over the ceremonial key to Mr. Abdoul-Rachid Alfa-Traore, Project Manager at MPS, who passed it on to Mr. Mahmoud Ayoub, Chief Operations Officer of MPS, marking the shift from construction to full operational control.
Engineering Excellence and Vision
Reflecting on the project’s success, Mr. Samara underscored that achievements of such magnitude are driven by human determination as much as by technology and capital.
“Projects of this magnitude are not built by machines alone, but by the human spirit. This is proof of what can be accomplished when vision meets dedication, when teamwork meets excellence, and when passion meets persistence,” he remarked.
He credited MPS’s shareholders and Board of Directors for their continued support, adding that the company is well-positioned to propel Ghana’s transformation into a global logistics hub.
Transforming Ghana’s Maritime Landscape
Launched in November 2016, the Tema Port Expansion Project was conceived to revolutionize Ghana’s maritime landscape through the development of a state-of-the-art container terminal equipped with deep-draught berths and advanced technology systems.
The completion of Phase 2 aligns with government policy objectives aimed at industrialization, export growth, and trade efficiency, and supports ongoing efforts to establish Ghana as a competitive, 24-hour trade and logistics economy.
A New Era for Ghana’s Trade Gateway
The completion of the project signifies more than physical expansion; it represents a leap forward in Ghana’s global trade capabilities.
With advanced infrastructure, world-class safety standards, and enhanced operational capacity, MPS’s expanded terminal positions Tema Port as a critical artery in Africa’s maritime trade network — and a foundation for Ghana’s ambition to become a logistics powerhouse in the region and beyond.
