Takoradi Port is optimistic that the Atlantic Terminal Services Limited (ATS) Container and Multipurpose Terminal will start operations by the first quarter of 2024.
The terminal will serve as a main transshipment point for cargo moving from Ghana to neighbouring landlocked countries.
“ATS is a game-changer, we look forward to a brighter, exciting year. We also look forward to inaugurating and starting operations at the upstream oil & gas terminal by October 2024,” mentioned Peter Amo Bediako, Director-Takoradi Port.
He was speaking at a press soiree in Takoradi to update journalists on the port’s performance in 2023, its achievements and positive developments as well as outlook for this year.
“We look forward to inaugurating and starting operations at our newly constructed ultra-modern Medical Diagnostic Centre, also in 2024; and then we also expect the Genser Energy Cryogenic Tank Farm facility for gas export to be completed and operationalised this year.”
Port’s performance in 2023
According to Mr. Bediako, total vessel calls recorded as at the end of November 2023 were 801. “Our full year 2023 vessel call forecast is 856”.
Significantly, he said the Dry Bulk Terminal alone received and loaded 30 export vessels – of which 11 were capesize and mini-capesize bulk carriers. “That’s vessels with Length Overall (LOA) ranging from 230 metres to 300 metres”.
Also, on Port cargo traffic, he said as at the end of November 2023, 7.1 million metric tonnes were loaded compared to 6.7 million metric tonnes recorded in the same period for 2022, thus resulting in a positive growth variance of 309,897 metric tonnes representing 4.56 percent.
“Our full-year 2023 Total Cargo Traffic forecast is 7.7million metric tonnes. Significantly again, two million one hundred thousand metric tonnes have been handled so far at the Dry Bulk Terminal,” he added.
Mr. Bediako mentioned that Manganese Export traffic as at November 2023 was a little over 2.9 million metric tonnes compared to 2.8 million metric tonnes recorded for the same period in 2022. This has resulted in a positive growth variance of 125,559 metric tonnes, showing 4.4 percent.
Again, he said, Bauxite Export traffic as at November 2023 was 1.083 million metric tonnes compared to 473,395 metric tonnes recorded for the same period in 2022. Consequently, resulting in a positive variance of 609,709 and indicating 128.79 percent growth.
The Director of Port stated that Clinker Import traffic as at November 2023 was 1.7 million metric tonnes, compared to 2.016 million metric tonnes recorded for the same period in 2022, resulting in a negative variance of 259,098 metric tonnes and representing 12.85 percent. Thus, in 2023 the port handled more dry bulk export traffic than import dry bulk traffic.
“Port Container Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) traffic as at end-September 2023 was 25,818 TEUs, compared to 27,900 TEUs recorded in the same period in 2022 – thus resulting in a variance of 2,082 and showing 7.46 percent less than last year. Our full-year 2023 Container TEUs Traffic forecast is 38,986 TEUs,” he said.
Achievements and positive developments at the Port in 2023
On achievement, Mr. Bediako pointed out that Takoradi Port was able to berth 11 vessels with Length Overall (LOA) of the range noted above at the Terminal without incident.
“One of the vessels – known as the CS SALUBRITY with LOA of 295 metres – was loaded with 138,000 metric tonnes of manganese in a record time of four days, instead of the planned seven days,” he said.
He added that: “In May 2023, we sent our ship pilots to Denmark for refresher simulation training to ensure efficient pilotage and berthing of LOA ranging from 230 metres up to 300 metres LOA at the Dry Bulk Terminal.
“2024 is indeed going to be brighter, with exciting newsworthy stories which we know you will help us put them out there – for the world to see, read or hear about the port,” the Port Director concluded.
