GPHA starts dumping of laid-by vessels

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authorities (GPHA) on Friday began dumping abandoned fishing vessels from the Tema fishing harbour on the high seas.

The operation, led by Mr Jim Kwame Fugah, Fishing Harbour Manager, started with M-V Anami, which belonged to Cactus Fishing Company and has been laid-by since 1998.

Speaking to newsmen after the operation, Mr Fugah said there are twelve abandoned fishing vessels at the harbour, some of which have occupied berthing space, creating congestion since 1989, and efforts to dump them have been met with resistance by their owners with the backing with some port officials.

This, he said, has led to the sinking of M-V Bami at the fishing harbour since April this year, when she suddenly took in excess water and could not immediately be tugged out, adding that the cost of removing such vessels is estimated between 300,000 to 600,000 US dollars and "we have now applied for bidding."

Mr Fugah disclosed that the GPHA will spend over 15 million cedis to tow each of the laid-by vessels and the operation was being undertaken by a combined team of Acquatech (Diving Company) and the GPHA marine personnel.

He said the operation is aimed at the decongestion of the port to make it environmentally friendly, pointing out that after the successful exercise, the next vessel on line is M-V Ayensu, owned by Inflacto Fishing Company and this will take place early next week.