The Takoradi Port in the Western Region has begun recording increase in revenue from traffic to the sea port after the expansion works on the port were completed.
This was made known by the Public Relations and Marketing Manager of the Takoradi Port Peter Amoo Bediako at a public lecture held on the revitalization of the railways in Takoradi, organized by the Sekondi Takoradi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Mr. Amoo Bediako indicated at the forum that “traffic has increased by over 39 percent as compared to what was realized in the 2015/2016 financial year…revenue accrued from import and export duties at the port also tremendously increased by 30% and 47% respectively with traffic also increasing by over 39%.”
This according to him has enhanced the competitiveness of the port and boost local economy expansion.
“Now vessels that were going to other countries because of our low draft will find it more convenient to call at Takoradi,” he added
To meet the ever-growing demands of the port users, a major expansion and investment programme was undertaken to transform its capacity, facilities, and operations.
The original master plan recommended segregation of cargo and improved container handling facilities. However, the discovery of oil prompted a new master plan to accommodate facilities to service offshore support operations, development of bulk and container terminals, the positioning of a floating dock for vessel repairs with depths ranging from 10 to 16 metres.
Phases one and two of the project included the extension of the breakwater, provision of a bulk terminal/jetty to handle bulk commodities and dredging of the access channels. The berths will also be dredged to a depth of 16.0 metres.
Mr. Amoo-Bediako further added that “in terms of dredging, the deepest part of the old port was 11 meters with the key just about 10 meters which meant that capacity to handle bigger vessels and bring in more revenues was greatly limited. With the expansion, we are talking about an increase of minus 16 which means bigger volumes and bigger vessels can be handled”.
He concluded that 200 meters of the entire 800 meters of the bulk jerky at the Port have been completed “and by July this year, another 210 meters would be completed”.
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(Via: CitiFM Online Ghana)
