Takoradi Port records unprecedented growth in 2017

Ghana's premier port, the Port of Takoradi registered one of its best performances in the year 2017.

Records indicate that Transit trade to the landlocked countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger increased by 152 % from 81,705 metric tons to 205,565 metric tons.

For the first time, in so many years since the Takoradi Port started the transit trade, in 2017 the Port started handling clinker and gypsum for cement factories like CIMAF in Burkina Faso which went a long way to increase the profit of the port.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Eye on Port, the Deputy Marketing and Public Affairs Manager of Takoradi Port, Peter Amo-Bediako said the Port of Takoradi also recorded 35% and 29% growth in import and export respectively in the year 2017.

Peter Amo-Bediako attributed these significant growths to the expanded bulk jetty which enabled bigger vessels to call the Port.

“400 metres of the new bulk jetty were completed for operation and this also contributed to the traffic growth,” he expressed.

He said container traffic in Takoradi Port generally increased from 45,000 TEUs in 2016 to 53,000 TEUs in 2017 resulting in 10% increase from 2016 recorded figures.

Peter Amo-Bediako attributed this to the partnership between the Port of Takoradi and the new privately- owned Takoradi Container Terminal (TACOTEL).

He revealed that vessel calls at the Port increased by 25 vessels and cargo throughput also increased by 2million metric tons from 6million metric tons in 2016 to 8million metric tons in 2017.

“The inclusion of TACOTEL also contributed to container traffic increase which gave the Port the capacity to handle more container traffic,” he revealed.

Peter Amo-Bediako stated that the Port is open for business and it is the management’s priority to maintain it as the preferred hub for maritime logistics, oil and gas businesses in the sub region.