This port has 13 transtainers and about 50 forklifts of different capacities. The terminal that comprises the berth 1 and 2 is 575 m long and has modern equipment such as 3 shore cranes, 4-yard gantries, many reach stackers, 2 mobile cranes and 276 reefer points. The container handling at this port is managed by a private company called Meridian Port Services. These 12 berths are situated on two wharves Berth numbers 1 and 2 are on the second quay and are reserved for container vessels only. These are congested sometimes and so the vessels coming here are emptied and then shifted to the other berths. Only two berths among these are deep-water berths with a water depth of 11.5 m. This berth can handle 244 m long tankers with a draught of 9.7 m. The oil berth has two fire-fighting pumps and the latest security measures to deal with any accidents. There are two other berths, one being an oil berth catering to oil tankers and the second one is managed by the Volta Aluminium Enterprise. It is quite an expansive and well-planned port. The entrance to the main dock has a water depth of 12 metres and is 244 m wide. The government is planning to expand the port further to make it the most important trading hub in the West African region. It also serves as a logistics hub in the region by offering various services. This port handles more than half of Ghana’s international maritime trade and is strategically located, only 30 km away from the capital city.

It handles approximately 12 million tonnes of cargo annually, including petroleum, cement, aluminium goods, and textiles. It deals with general cargo, heavy dry and liquid bulk and imported vehicles. It spans 3.9 million sq m and receives about 1650 ships every year including container ships, general cargo laden vessels, tankers, ro-ro, and also some cruise ships. Located on Ghana’s east coast, Tema port is the biggest and the premier port of the nation. Let us have a look at the Ports in Ghana. In recent years, Tema port has witnessed an increased volume of container traffic and the same is the case with Takoradi port that has seen a spur in shipping operations due to oil find nearby.īoth these ports require expansion to meet the requirements of the oil and shipping companies. However, there are some issues regarding port expansion.

The ports have seen much development such as the Golden Jubilee terminal is a newly opened facility at the port of Tema. It primarily governs the Port of Sekondi-Takoradi, the Port of Tema and its fishing port.Īpart from international trade, these ports also deal with the transhipment cargo to and from nations in the north such as Burkina Faso. The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) is the national port authority that manages and maintains the smooth functioning of the ports and port operations. Then comes the port of Takoradi, Port of Saltpond, Port of Elmina, Old Port of Sekondi and Port of Accra. Port of Tema is the nation’s principal and most crucial port as 70% of the country’s trade is handled by this facility. The Government of Ghana aims to achieve the status of ‘ a developed nation’ by 2029, and has revamped the port infrastructure and also undertaken many port projects. Ghana’s Ports are a major contributor to its economy. Ghana shares its border with the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean in the south and so most of the agricultural produce is exported through the 6 strategic seaports that handle the country’s international maritime trade. Most importantly, the nation is a major producer of the finest cocoa and ranks among the highest cocoa producer nations in the world. Ghana is famous for its diverse range of crops and agro-based products that are widely exported. The economy is majorly supported by the services sector followed by manufacturing and industries. It has large reserves of gold, enormous industrial minerals and also hydrocarbon deposits. It is rich in natural resources and also rare metals. It is also the second most populated country in West Africa. The West African Nation of Ghana is fairly prosperous and commands a leadership position in the region.

African ports map