The ultra modern
Terminal Three being constructed by the Meridian Port Services (MPS) at Tema
Port would become fully operational on June 28, this year, to provide efficient
port services for importers and exporters across the West African coastline.
The fully-automated terminal estimated at the cost of US$1.5 billion has the
capacity to accommodate two million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs)
containers from the previous 820,000 TEUs.
It will operate twenty-four seven (24/7) customer service and would be one of
the largest container terminals in Africa, capable to provide 16 different port
services.
The managers of the facility have deployed modern technology and operating
systems with efficient port accessibility and high berth space to reduce the turnaround
time for shipping lines, reduce the cost of doing business between 40 and 70
per cent, increase government revenues and become a hub for shipping lines in
Africa.
Mr Mohamed Samara, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MPS, in a presentation
on the new terminal and cargo flow processes during a stakeholders’ engagement
in Tema on Monday, said the new terminal would be a game-changer for the
shipping industry, increase cargo volumes and attract larger vessels.
The meeting organised by the MPS and Ghana Shippers’ Authority brought together
importers, exporters and key shipping organsations, including the Ghana Chamber
of Commerce, Importers and Exporters Association, Institute of Freight
Forwarders, Association of Ghana Industries, Abbosey Okai Spare Parts Dealers
Association, Joint Association of Port Drivers and Ghana Union of Traders
Associations, and Mali and Burkina Faso Shippers Councils.
Earlier, the participants undertook a familiarisation tour of the facility, to
acquaint themselves with the operations of the new terminal.
Ms Benonita Bismarck, the CEO of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, in her welcome
address, underlined the need for continued education and sensitisation of
shippers and other stakeholders of the industry for better understanding of the
operational procedures at the new terminal.
She called for a strong collaboration between the supply and the demand chain
management system of the shipping industry and assured of the Authority’s
commitment to uphold international standard in setting tariffs for the shipping
industry.
Ms Bismarck urged industry players to prepare towards complying with the
International Maritime Organisation’s decision to enforce a 0.5 per cent global
Sulphur Cap effective January 1, 2020.
She said the Authority had drawn up a comprehensive programme of engagements to
enlighten shippers and other stakeholders on the expected impact of the Sulphur
Cap enforcement on their operations.
Mrs Sandra Opoku, the Tema Port Director of the GPHA, on her part, assured of
the GPHA’s Customer and Marketing departments’ readiness to support importers
and exporters to navigate through the operational procedures and operating
systems of the new terminal, in order to improve efficiency in clearing of
goods and services.
GNA
