APM Terminals has signed an MoU with the government of Ghana for US$1bn to expand the Tema Port
APM Terminals is an international terminal container operating unit that functions independently within the Danish shipping major Maersk. According to company officials, the deal was signed through Meridian Port Services (MPS) – the JV between APM Terminals and Bollore Africa Logistics – and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).
Peder Sondergaard, regional head of APM Terminals for Africa and Middle East, said, “MPS is a very successful private-public partnership, which has brought global trade to local shores. APM Terminals looks forward to take the next step to drive the development of a world class port expansion which can serve the country of Ghana in the coming decades.”
The Tema Port, on the shores of the Gulf of Guinea in southeastern Ghana, is the country’s largest seaport with a capacity of 670,000 TEUs. In March 2014, the government announced a port upgrade and expansion programme to improve connectivity to the port and expand its capacity.
So far, US$1445mn has been invested in expanding the port, stated officials from APM Terminals. With the proposed expansion, the port’s capacity will expand to 3.5mn TEUs.
The expansion plans include the development of four deepwater berths and an access channel designed to accommodate larger vessels entering West African trade lanes. In addition, a six-lane highway will also be constructed between the port at Tema and Accra, to enhance the movement of cargo through interior points.
