Tema, Ghana – 1^st November 2025:

Meridian Port Services Ltd (MPS) is proud to announce the maiden call of the Beijing Maersk, one of the newest and most advanced vessels in the Maersk Line fleet, at MPS Terminal 3, Tema Port. This landmark event demonstrates MPS’s capability to accommodate the world’s next-generation mega container ships, a testament to Ghana’s growing role as a leading maritime hub in West Africa.

The Beijing Maersk (IMO 9984572), built in 2025 and flying the Danish flag, measures 350 metres in length, 56 metres in beam, and has a deadweight of 198,200 tonnes. With a carrying capacity exceeding 17,480 TEUs, including about 2,100 reefer containers, the vessel exemplifies the scale and efficiency of modern global trade.

This impressive vessel features a compact hull design and 22-row container bay configuration, which fit perfectly within the outreach and lifting capacity of MPS’s Shore-to-Ship gantry cranes. Its dual-fuel propulsion system, powered by methanol and conventional fuel, enables up to 60% reduction in CO₂ emissions, marking a significant step towards cleaner, more sustainable shipping.

This giant methanol-propelled lady of the sea is making her loop around the African continent on route from Algeciras to Shanghai, with only one stop along the western coastline of Africa at MPS Terminal 3 of Tema Port. The total discharge and load container throughput during this call is approximately 11,500 TEUs, representing an estimated 7,500 crane moves. Of this volume, the Ghana Gateway cargo accounts for 9,500 TEUs, including 781 refrigerated containers, while about 2,000 TEUs are transhipment containers destined for ports such as Lomé, Cotonou, Douala, Pointe-Noire, and others across the sub-region.

Mr. Mohamed Samara, CEO of MPS, remarked: “The arrival of the Beijing Maersk at our terminal symbolizes how far we’ve come in building world-class port infrastructure and operational excellence in Ghana. MPS Terminal 3 was designed to handle the biggest vessels in the world, and today we proudly demonstrate that capability once again. This milestone strengthens Tema Port’s position as a major maritime gateway for West Africa and reflects Ghana’s readiness to support global trade at scale.”

The call of the Beijing Maersk showcases MPS’s commitment to delivering value to Ghana’s economy and its stakeholders, connecting markets, facilitating trade, and driving sustainable growth across the region.

MPS Terminal 3’s deep-water berths, advanced crane systems, high yard capacity, and efficient digital processes make it one of the most modern and capable container terminals in Africa. The terminal is operated under a joint venture between the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Africa Global Logistics , and APM Terminals, and continues to lead in innovation, safety, and operational performance.