Transport - Logistique

First Phase of MPS Tema Port Goes Live

Meridian Ports Services Ltd (MPS) has announced the successful “Go-Live” of the new Tema Port ultra-modern container terminal.

This follows close to 3 years of construction and allied works to complete the first phase. The port has also undergone highly successful integrated testing of newly implemented advanced technology, processes and procedures. This signifies the commencement of commercial business at the new port.

At a ceremony held in the new port on June 28th to announce this feat, the Managing Director of Bollore Ports, Olivier de Noray described the project as key to unlocking trade in West Africa.

“This new terminal is a reflection of what the future holds for Africa in the ports and logistics chain. Multiplying cargo volumes corresponds to growth in the economies of the nations engaged in the trade.” He added that the vision of the shareholders was to make the Tema Port the Port of Singapore in Africa.

Chief Executive Officer of MPS, Mohamed Samara praised the construction and transition teams who had overseen the construction and the period of moving the existing business to its present location.

This is a wonderful day for Ghana and for every one of us, the entire shipping community. Each contractor has done a wonderful job and this is brilliant engineering. Most importantly, there has been created value and transfer of knowhow and skills that has been derived from this project to be used on future projects requiring these skills and expertise.

 “I congratulate the transition team. This is not about reinventing the wheel, it is about upgrading our port to match up international standards. This terminal is a sophisticated terminal loaded with technology and some of the world’s most advanced equipment to harvest efficiency”. He also encouraged all stakeholders to promote the port in their interactions.

The event saw the gathering of a cross section of stakeholders from the shipping community including Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority (GPHA), Freight Forwarders, Ghana Revenue Authority, Project Contractors and workers of MPS.

Handing over a symbolic key to the Transition Team led by Cyrille Lemee, the MPS Project Director, Mark Nolet admonished the team to keep the terminal safe and secured for all. Mr. Lemee in turn handed over the key to the Operations team steered by the Operations Manager, Emmanuel Ohene Addo.

While congratulating the construction team for work well done, Michael Luguje, Director General of the GPHA impressed on the Operations Team to do their utmost best to complement the efforts of the Engineering Team.

“This project still remains a part of the Ghana Port Master plan and we are glad that the whole team put our heads together and our hands on the table to realise this engineering masterpiece today. I wish the operations team the best of success because the engineering team has done its job, it is now the turn of the operations team to operate it as attractively as possible to make it the number container terminal in terms of volume, cargo throughput in the sub region. The challenge is for us to stand tall as the leading transshipment hub in the years to come.”

His words were reiterated by the Director of Port, Mrs Sandra Opoku who said that the GPHA was committed to working together with the Management of MPS to make the Tema Port the hub of shipping activities in West Africa.

The Metropolitan Chief Executive of Tema, Hon. Felix Anang-La who was also present at the ceremony assured all that the office of the Metropolis would continue to support the operations of the new container terminal.

 “This is a long awaited project which is the evident in its acclaims beyond the shores of Ghana, the city of Tema is firmly behind this project. Whatever assistance required by the facility within our reach would be provided.”

The new terminal will receive its first commercial vessel on 3^rd July, 2019 with the on-going second phase expected to be completed ahead of schedule in 2020. The official inauguration has been slated for later this year.

MPS TEMA PORT IN FIGURES

The New Port Operational facilities has been designed and is integrated with several automated processes and systems at the Gate-In and Gate-Out including Terminal Operating System (TOS), Gate Operating System (GOS), Truck Appointment System (TAS), Licence Plate Recognition Systems (LPR) for recognising vehicles’ numbers, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for recognising containers’ numbers, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for recognising trucks within the terminal, Biometric Access Control (BAC) for drivers, Weigh Bridges and Scanners.