The government is planning additional infrastructure improvements around the Tema Port to address bottlenecks that have contributed to growing container congestion and improve the movement of cargo.
Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe said the expansion of cargo-handling capacity at the port had not been matched by corresponding improvements in the infrastructure connecting the facility to other transport routes.
Mr Nikpe made the disclosure during a visit to the Meridian Port Services (MPS) Terminal, where he engaged management on measures to improve the entry and exit of cargo at the port.
He acknowledged container congestion as a major challenge facing the port, noting that the situation was a concern for both government and port operators.
According to the Minister, the challenge had emerged partly from the rapid growth in cargo volumes following the expansion of the port’s handling capacity.
He explained that although the development of Terminal 3 had significantly increased the port’s ability to handle containers, supporting infrastructure had not expanded at the same pace.
“We are putting in Terminal 3, the containers, the cargo is coming, but we didn’t continue to improve other infrastructure that is linking up with the port,” he said.
To address the infrastructure gap, Mr Nikpe said government was considering improvements to roads and harbour routes, as well as the expansion of routes serving the port.
He said plans were also being considered to create additional berths to increase the port’s capacity to receive vessels and accommodate growing maritime traffic.
“That’s why we are talking about the material routes, and then the harbour route expansions. And again, looking at creating more new berths that will be able to receive whatever ships that will be calling on our port,” he said.
The Minister assured port operators and other stakeholders that government would work to accelerate the proposed interventions to address the existing bottlenecks.
“Government is looking at how we can fast-track activities to be able to remove this challenge,” he said.
Mr Nikpe said improving the infrastructure supporting the Tema Port was critical to ensuring efficient cargo movement and strengthening the port’s competitiveness.
He added that the broader objective was to improve operational efficiency at the Tema Port and preserve Ghana’s position as a preferred destination for maritime trade.
