By Desmond Cudjoe
Takoradi Port management has firmly rebutted claims of congestion, stating that vessels carrying clinker, a key raw material for cement production, are being handled without delay.
Contrary to recent concerns raised within the industry, the port authority insists that its operations remain efficient and fluid.
Cement Manufacturers’ Concerns
The clarification follows a recent stakeholders’ meeting between the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers Ghana (COCMAG) and the Minister of Trade. During the engagement, COCMAG cited port congestion ( apparently Tema and Takoradi Ports) as a major challenge, leading to delays in discharging clinker. The group warned that these delays result in high demurrage costs, which could ultimately lead to price increases for cement consumers.
GBC Visit Finds No Congestion
However, a visit by GBC to the Takoradi Port revealed no signs of congestion at the dry bulk terminal. Clinker was observed being offloaded smoothly and conveyed into trucks for transport to manufacturers.
Robert Opoku, the Port Operations and Monitoring Manager, attributed the smooth operations to recent infrastructural upgrades. He pointed to the development of new terminal facilities equipped with modern automated equipment as a key factor in boosting productivity.
“The issue of congestion is non-existent here,” Mr. Opoku stated. “Vessels that come to our port are handled swiftly and on time.”
Upgraded Facilities Boost Efficiency
Mr. Opoku detailed the port’s enhanced capabilities, noting it now boasts a draft of -16 meters, allowing it to accommodate larger bulk carriers. He highlighted the recent arrival of the 300,000-tonne vessel, MV CBS Years, as a testament to the port’s expanded capacity.
He further explained that the port is now able to serve multiple large vessels simultaneously at a newly built terminal. “We have a quay length of 800 meters, which allows us to accommodate three vessels, each over 200 meters in length, at the same time. Our loading rate stands at 2,500 tons per hour,” he told GBC News.
He added that bauxite and clinker are major commodities passing through the port, with clinker alone constituting over 30 percent of its total cargo traffic. “The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has invested significantly, and the impact on our operations is clear,” Mr. Opoku emphasized.
Appeal to Cement Companies
Despite the port’s efficiency, Mr. Opoku urged cement manufacturers to improve their own logistics to prevent unnecessary costs. He noted that some companies, particularly those using trucks for transport, need to enhance their operations to service their vessels promptly and avoid demurrage charges.
As an example, he mentioned that GHACEM, which has a manufacturing plant located at the port, is yet to complete the operationalization of a conveyor system that would link the dry bulk terminal directly to their facility. Completing this link would further streamline their supply chain.
