On Saturday, November 2, 2024, Tema Port celebrated the arrival of COSCO’s latest vessel, EA Centaurus, marking a significant addition to the West Africa Express (WAX3) Service linking the Far East with West Africa. The EA Centaurus, constructed in 2023, spans an impressive 272 meters in length with a 43-meter beam, and sails under the Singapore flag.

This cutting-edge vessel represents a new generation in container shipping, distinguished by an advanced hull design that enhances both efficiency and sustainability. Its sleek shape and optimised dimensions exemplify emerging design principles aimed at accommodating larger cargo capacities while reducing fuel consumption and emissions, underscoring the industry’s shift toward eco-friendly operations.

Mr. Song Zhenyu, Deputy Managing Director of COSCO SHIPPING Lines Ghana Co. Ltd., emphasized COSCO’s commitment to bolstering West Africa’s trade links by deploying upgraded vessels on the WAX3 Service. He noted that COSCO’s investment in these next-generation ships is part of a strategic move to support increasing trade demand in the region, driven by both consumer markets and industrial imports.

By offering direct, efficient connections between Tema and key Asian markets, COSCO plays a vital role in strengthening regional trade infrastructure, thereby contributing to Ghana’s economic growth and supporting supply chains across neighbouring countries.

In an address alongside Tema Port Director and MPS COO, Mr. Kevin Butler, Deputy General Manager of COSCO, highlighted that EA Centaurus operates in a port rotation connecting major hubs from the Far East to West Africa. The WAX3 Service is a reliable weekly liner service that begins in China, covering essential ports such as Shanghai, Ningbo, Xingang, Nansha, and Yangpu, before stopping in Singapore and Malaysia, and continuing westward to Africa. Upon reaching West Africa, the vessel calls at major ports including Tema, Ghana; Abidjan, Ivory Coast; and Lagos, Nigeria, solidifying a vital trade link between these regions.

During its first call at Tema Port, the EA Centaurus underwent 37.6 hours of port operations, during which MPS Terminal 3 handled 3,529 TEUs in both gateway and transshipment cargo through 2,299 crane moves, achieving an impressive average of 61 moves per hour. This efficient handling rate underscores MPS Terminal 3’s capacity to accommodate and expedite larger vessels, further aligning with Tema Port’s expansion and modernization initiatives.

Mrs. Sandra Opoku, Director of Tema Port, expressed appreciation for COSCO’s service enhancement, encouraging the shipping line to take full advantage of MPS Terminal 3’s enhanced operational capacity and advanced infrastructure.

The CEO of MPS, Mr. Mohamed Samara, commended COSCO for upgrading five out of the eleven vessels deployed on the WAX3 Service to this advanced class. He added that the timing of these upgrades is ideal, coinciding with the ongoing expansion of Tema Port, which aims to meet the evolving needs of global shipping lines and foster regional trade development.