Takoradi port receives largest vessels in 89 years

The Takoradi Port has received its first largest vessels since it was established in 1928 due to the ongoing construction of the bulk jetty. Speaking to Radio360 news in Takoradi during a tour of the jetty, the Public Affairs and Marketing Manager of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) ; Takoradi Port, Peter Armoo Bediako, he said due the first 200 metres of the intended 800metres of the Bulk jetty constructed, the Takoradi Port has been able to berth 2 large vessels namely

M.V. Josco Fuzhou which is 197metres and M.V. Iris Oldendorf which is 200 metres which both will be sailing with a draft base of 11.7metres and 13.5metres respectively.

The Takoradi Port Public Affairs and Marketing Manager said due to this initial achievement the M.V. Iris Oldendorf is loading bauxite weighing 63,000metric tonnes heading to China; "....the new bulk jetty has been dredged to ensure it to allow for more cargo to be loaded and more bigger vessels to berth..." , he said.

He said the expansion project which began in November 2014 and expected to be completed by the end of 2018 . He said the project will allow for more cargo to be loaded both for imports and exports ; "....it will impact positively on the revenue stream of GPHA but also Ghana as a whole which is the most significant part..." , he added.

He said the project when completed will make the Takoradi Port the most deep drafted port in the sub region saying it will come with a conveyor belt system and though despite not being completed it has began earning revenue .