PIL's Kota Tema vessel makes maiden voyage to Port of Tema

One of the largest container vessels of Pacific International Lines, PIL, which has been named after the port city of Tema, Kota Tema, has made its maiden call to the Port of Tema.

The vessel, which was constructed in 2024, has a length overall of 272 meters, a gross tonnage of 73, 172 and a capacity of 7,000 TEUs.

At a brief ceremony to usher in the vessel at the MPS Terminal 3 of the Port of Tema, the Director-General of GPHA, Michael Luguje, said the Port Authority is committed to its responsibility of providing the infrastructure and supporting facilities to receive ships and cargo and handle them as efficiently as possible, as quickly as possible, as safely as possible and as cost effectively as possible.

He described the Port of Tema as the hub for West Africa as most containers coming into the sub-region from Senegal all the way down to Douala in Cameroon, are received at the Port for onward distribution by smaller vessels.

He revealed that the Port of Tema is working towards becoming the biggest hub in Africa.

Mr. Luguje expressed gratitude to PIL for their loyalty to Ghana and the Port of Tema over the years through both difficult and good times and stressed the need for the partnership to be strengthened.

“As Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, our responsibility as leadership practitioners is to provide the enabling environment for Ghana’s imports and exports in cargo terminal, that is providing the infrastructure and supporting facilities to receive ships and cargos and handle them as efficiently as possible,” he said.

The Chief Executive Officer of MPS, Mohammed Samara said his outfit has put in place the right infrastructure and equipment to receive any size of vessel and any volume of containers.

He commended the Port Authority for its continuous investment in marine crafts to bring in all types of vessels.

“GPHA has been constantly and regularly investing in Port tugs and harbour crafts that help ships dock alongside safely and also handle the increased capacity of the traffic within Tema Port,” he stated.

Some clients of PIL spoke about how efficient Ghana’s ports have been to their businesses.

“When we compare to the other Port facilities in Africa, we are getting a good service from Tema Port, especially, after berthing the vessel within 2 days’ time we are able to clear our containers. When you compare with the other ports in Africa, normally it will take like 3 to 4 days but in Tema Port, we are getting good service,” General Manager, Logistics, of Do the Right Thing Apparel, Ranga Yapa said.

“The efficiency of the port, the capacity of the port, the kinds of vessels that call here, the frequency of the vessel calls, and the speed with which the vessel turns around and all that have improved dramatically so it's a good thing all in all and with Tema becoming more and more of a hub for sea trade into West Africa there is also the revenue opportunity for the country as well,” the Chief Operations Officer of Baseleia Shipping and Logistics, Philip Oppong Boateng said.