During a familiarisation tour of the new port last Monday, importers, exporters, manufacturers, freight forwarders and related service providers said the terminal could only be compared to the best in the world.

The tour was organised by the Ghana Shippers' Authority (GSA) in collaboration with Meridian Port Services (MPS) Limited.

The stakeholders were taken through the newly automated facilities at the port for them to be abreast of the processes and procedures before the $1.5 billion terminal would become operational in June 28, 2019.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GSA, Ms Benonita Bismarck, observed that the visit was not organised just for the purpose of offering stakeholders the opportunity to see the facilities at the port.

“But more importantly, because we reckon that the transition from the old terminal to this one would introduce some changes in the cargo flow processes, particularly for domestic and transit cargo within the new facility,” she said.

She explained that the new terminal three project was the outcome of huge investments.

According to her, the facility had the largest infrastructure and superstructure, advanced terminal operating systems, efficient port accessibility and highest berth availability to make it a hub for West Africa.

Consequently, she said, it was expected to have a high frequency of vessel calls, the shortest waiting time and the fastest vessel turnaround time, thereby affording shipping lines the opportunity to reconfigure their redistribution services to Africa.

“Quite understandably of this investment, like many others in major port infrastructure around the world, has been justified by the growth forecasts in cargo volumes.”

GIFFs position

The President of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), Mr Kwabena Ofosu Appiah, stated that shippers had always looked forward to the day when Ghana would boast of such state-of-the-arts facility at its seaports.

“It is a great thing we are seeing here today and some of us are grateful that it is happening in our life time.

This is indeed a state-of-the-arts delivery with the deepest berth to accommodate any vessel regarding its capacity,” he said.

Confirming the readiness of freight forwarders to operate at the new port, he urged the port operator, MPS, to integrate its system with other port agencies to facilitate operations.

Safety arrangement

His views were, however corroborated by the Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG), Mr Samson Asaki Awingobet, who praised the safety arrangements at the terminal.

He asked for more education for stakeholders who would often use the terminal because facilities installed were different and automated compared to the two old terminals.

“With what I have seen, I think the MPS is more prepared for the June 28 date where the new terminal will officially go live,” he added.

MPS terminal

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MPS, Mr Mohamed Samara, indicated that several shipping lines were already getting ready to jump onto the opportunity that the massive project had to offer.

“One of the world’s five largest liner shipping company has taken the lead to announce their intention to create new direct service line to West Africa with Tema as the first port of call and the home hub for the entire region.

“We are creating new trade, connectivity and routes to new markets in West Africa.

Basically, we are adding value to the shipping lines, exporters and importers in the region and overall to the country,” he added.