MPS boosts Tema port handling capacity; acquires new cranes

Meridian Port Services (MPS) has taken delivery of the first unit out of two Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHC).

The Crane arrived on 8th December 2017 and it is currently being commissioned by the manufacturers’ engineers expected to be put into operations after completing the training in the coming two weeks. The Second identical MHC is due to arrive in March 2018.

The CEO of MPS, Mr Mohamed Samara, indicated that these latest generations of Mobile Harbour Cranes are the largest and most advanced MHC’s ever manufactured by KONECRANES-GOTTWALD.

He also added “This additional US$11 million investment is part of the MPS Shareholders commitment to develop Tema Port, it is set to increase the terminal berthing capacity and ultimately it will improve vessels’ productivity which in turn will reduce time and costs for the shipping lines vessel calls”.

These cranes come with 61 meters boom with maximum 50 meters usable length. They are capable of lifting up to 35-ton containers across the vessels width and up to the 20th row or otherwise 60 ton in the case of twin lifting (2×20’) containers up to the 15th row onboard vessels. It is worthy to note the largest vessels currently calling at Tema Port have 15 rows of container stowage.

With its low diesel fuel consumption and low noise emissions, the high-efficiency diesel-electric drive concept of the KONECRANES/GOTTWALD, the Mobile Harbour Cranes ensures that environmental impacts are kept to a minimum.

The realization of all these benefits come with an upgrade of the company’s Technical and Information Systems along with staff’s operating skills. Operations personnel are currently undergoing training to add and improve on their knowledge and skills to run and operate this new state of the art cranes.

The arrival of the new cranes is welcoming news for shipping lines as MPS would be able to handle their volumes more efficiently even before the completion of the new port expansion project. Shipping lines can rest assured of timely berthing and sailing of their vessels.

The procurement of this sophisticated equipment is an indication of MPS’ pledge to enhance and heighten trade facilitation in the Tema Port and the Ghana’s global trade in general.