Tema, Ghana :  Meridian Port Services Ltd. (MPS) today proudly announced the successful handover of the first section in the ongoing Phase Two of the Tema Port Expansion Project. This milestone represents significant progress in the enhancement of Ghana’s primary maritime gateway, positioning Tema Port as a key driver for trade in West Africa. The newly completed section, covering 120,000 square meters of the project’s total 270,000-square-meter development, was handed over by the project management consultants AECOM Limited and joint venture contractors EIFFAGE Génie Civil Marine SA & De Simone Ltd.

Phase Two of this ambitious project involves the paving of a 270,000-square-meter area designed to support heavy port operations. The infrastructure includes 14 million high-strength pavement blocks, 16 kilometres of cable conduits, and 5.5 kilometres of drainage pipes, ultimately expanding the terminal’s capacity from 100 hectares to 127 hectares (1.27 million square meters). This expanded space allows for smoother and more efficient handling of shipping activities and aligns with MPS’s commitment to advancing Ghana’s logistical capabilities.

During his remarks to Ghana’s shipping industry executives, MPS CEO Mr. Samara highlighted that this extensive infrastructure investment directly serves the shipping lines, designed to facilitate growth in both gateway and transhipment traffic.

“The Shareholders of MPS are committed to building and equipping Tema Port with the capacity and infrastructure to sustain and drive the growth of our shipping partners,” he stated. This aligns with MPS’s broader objective to establish Tema as a central hub port in the region.

The Director of Tema Port, Mrs. Sandra Opoku, commended the MPS team and contractors for their dedication, noting their achievement in surpassing project goals with an exceptional safety record. She encouraged shipping lines to make use of the additional capacity, reinforcing Tema’s role as the region’s premier transhipment hub.

The shipping community chiefs expressed appreciation for the added capacity and praised MPS for its continual improvements in port operations. They noted MPS’s remarkable consistency in delivering high-standard projects on time despite various challenges, pointing out MPS’s dynamic role in supporting regional trade.

Representing the EIFFAGE-De Simone joint venture, Mr. Enrico De Simone conveyed their pride in contributing to a project of such magnitude and quality. “This project aligns with the highest global standards, and we are proud to play a role in designing and building this advanced facility,” he stated, reaffirming their commitment to future MPS projects.

The keys to the newly constructed section were presented by the contractors to the Project Managers Team, Abdoul-Rachid Alfa-Traore of MPS and Ernest Lartey of AECOM and in turn, the MPS Operations.

The COO of MPS, Mr. Curtiss Dakpogan, accepted the handover with enthusiasm, stating that the company looks forward to rolling out operations on the new facility.

Mr. Mohamed Samara concluded by sharing details on MPS’s upcoming investments, approved by the MPS Board of Directors, which include 19 new gantry cranes, three Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes and sixteen electric Rubber-Tired Gantries (eRTGs). Complementing these will be 41 electric terminal tugs and trailers, three electric empty handlers, and other electric-powered vehicles, ensuring efficient and environmentally conscious operations.

“This latest expansion showcases MPS’s commitment to delivering sustainable, state-of-the-art port infrastructure that meets the evolving needs of Ghana’s shipping industry while reinforcing Tema Port’s strategic role in West Africa,” reiterated the CEO of MPS.