APM Terminals, one of the world’s leading terminal operators, has announced the arrival of seven ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and 20 modern rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes at the Port of Tema, Ghana.
The new equipment will be installed as part of a US $1 billion expansion of the port, funded by APM and its partners Meridian Port Services (MPS), Bolloré Africa Logistics and Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority.
The expanded Tema is currently scheduled to open on June 28, 2019, following the completion of crane commissioning and operator training.
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According to a statement, the port’s breakwater and access channel is able to accommodate the world's largest container ships, and Tema’s first two deep-water berths are expected to receive commercial vessels by the end of June 2019.
In addition to this, a third new berth will be operational in the first quarter of 2020 ahead of the project’s scheduled completion in June of the same year.
The parties collaborating on this initiative have also invested in upgraded port infrastructure, improving Tema’s ability to receive and deliver containers efficiently.
African Terminal Expansion to Boost Local Trade #PTIDaily SEE MORE: https://t.co/duTXEeas2d@BolloreLog #ports #africa #expansion pic.twitter.com/XNS4GADAV8
— Port Technology (PTI) (@PortTechnology) November 27, 2018
Seven advanced STS cranes, described as some of the largest in the world, will offer increased lifting capacity, while the 20 electric RTGs entering operations will contribute to an improvement in environmental performance.
APM Terminals has emphasized that Tema’s infrastructure boost will be able to accommodate Ghana’s trade & industry growth, as well as serving as the regional trade hub for West Africa.
By implementing more modern technology at the port, Ghanaian companies working closely with Tema will become more competitive and cost-effective.
A further statement from the terminal operator read: “MPS’s terminal efficiency, accessibility, variety of shipping lines, frequency of vessel calls, fast vessel turnaround time, high port capacity and berth availability are the optimal criteria for making Tema Port, The Hub Port for Africa.”