Managing Directors of leading shipping lines operating in Ghana, including MSC, Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, COSCO, and PIL, convened for their quarterly engagement meeting with the management of Meridian Port Services Ltd (MPS) at Terminal 3 of the Tema Port. The session, part of a structured stakeholder dialogue platform, provided a comprehensive update on MPS’s operational performance, ongoing investments, and forward-looking growth strategy.

Addressing participants, the Chief Executive Officer of MPS, Mr. Mohamed Samara, highlighted the company’s continued growth momentum and strategic direction:

“MPS continues to deliver strong growth, with a 22% increase in cargo volumes recorded in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. While current capacity constraints are moderating transhipment volumes, our deliberate investments in infrastructure, equipment, and operational systems are significantly strengthening Tema’s connectivity across the region opening new trade corridors and enhancing access to key West and Central African markets”

A central highlight of the engagement was the tangible impact of MPS’s ongoing investments in driving enhanced maritime connectivity. Through continuous upgrades in terminal capacity, equipment deployment, and operational efficiency, MPS has facilitated improved vessel linkages with key regional ports, including Dakar, Apapa, Cotonou, Lomé, Tangiers, Abidjan, Pointe-Noire, and Luanda. This growing network is not only strengthening Tema Port’s position within major global shipping routes but is also enabling the creation of new trading corridors, reducing transit times, and improving cargo fluidity across West and Central Africa.

These developments are translating into broader economic value; providing trade and industry with more reliable and diversified shipping options, unlocking access to new regional markets, and supporting the integration of Ghana more firmly into intra-African and global trade networks. The enhanced connectivity further positions Tema as an increasingly attractive transhipment and logistics hub, capable of serving a wider hinterland and facilitating economies of scale for shipping lines.

The CEO further elaborated on operational performance, noting that vessel productivity has remained stable despite the increasing deployment of larger vessels, which has influenced crane intensity. Performance benchmarks indicate that vessels with approximately 900 moves average around 40 berth moves per hour (BMPH), those with about 2,000 moves average 50 BMPH, while vessels exceeding 2,500 moves achieve average crane productivity levels of 85 MPH and above.

On capacity expansion, MPS is preparing for a significant uplift in throughput capability, with the deployment of three addition of new ship-to-shore cranes expected to enhance the crane intensity and increase annual capacity from 2.5 million TEUs to 3 million TEUs.

In line with its sustainability agenda, MPS has integrated three electric empty container handlers and 20 electric terminal trucks into its operations, reinforcing its commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives. A further 61 electric terminal trucks are scheduled for delivery later in the year, marking a substantial step toward reducing the terminal’s carbon footprint.

Participants were also briefed on key infrastructure and operational enhancements, including the deployment of shore tensioning systems across multiple berths to improve vessel stability, particularly under adverse weather conditions. The recently commissioned power plant has increased installed capacity from 12 MVA to 25 MVA, ensuring improved energy reliability across terminal operations. Additionally, the implementation of optical character recognition (OCR) systems on crane legs is nearing full operationalization, with go-live expected in May.

Supporting infrastructure developments continue to progress steadily. The Marine Courtyard facility is now fully operational, centralizing marine and tug operations, while the new empty container platform is nearing completion, with commissioning expected in June 2026.

Following the meeting, participants undertook a site visit to witness the discharge of three ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and the commissioning of 16 electric rubber-tyred gantry cranes (eRTGs), underscoring MPS’s continued investment in modern, high-performance equipment.

The engagement concluded with a strong sense of alignment between MPS and its shipping line partners, reaffirming a shared commitment to operational excellence, capacity expansion, and the sustained development of Tema Port as a competitive gateway for regional and international trade.