By Evelyn ARTHUR
The Director General of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Brigadier General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, has revealed that the Port Authority will soon commence extensive dredging work at Port Tema, a key move aimed at increasing the depth of the harbour and enhancing its capacity to receive larger vessels.
Speaking in an interview, he said arrangements for the dredging exercise are at an advanced stage – with actual work expected to begin by end of next month.
“At the moment, the depth is about 8 metres. We intend dredging it to between 12 and 14 metres,” the Director-General revealed. “This is crucial, because currently many larger vessels are unable to berth at Tema Port due to its limited depth.”
He stated that the planned dredging, once completed, is expected to significantly improve vessel turnaround time by accommodating bigger ships.
“This will not only make Tema Port more competitive but also help cut costs for shipping lines and importers alike,” he noted.
The dredging, he noted, forms part of broader infrastructural and operational upgrades being pursued by GPHA in line with government’s 24-hour economy agenda.
He said modernising the port to handle more and larger vessels is critical to sustaining round-the-clock operations.
“When the dredging is complete and we receive larger vessels directly, we improve the turnaround time of vessels as well as overall port efficiency,” the Director-General emphasised.
He said GPHA is putting in measures intended to attract more business from landlocked countries like Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, who often rely on coastal ports for imports and exports.
