GPHA leases part of Takoradi Port

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GHPA) has leased a portion of the Takoradi port to Viking Offshore and Halliburton for the construction of oil and gas facilities under its expansion project.

The two companies would, however, not commit funds towards the project but would only construct liquid mud plant, tank farm, 500-ton crane service and desalination plant.

These were contained in a release issued by the GPHA and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Takoradi on Thursday, in reaction to a GNA report filed on July 19, 2013, on the port expansion programme.

The release indicated that GPHA would generate funds for the project through normal port tariffs and the 25 per cent commission on throughput agreement Viking Offshore had offered the Authority before the construction of the facilities.

It stated that Viking Offshore and Halliburton would supply bulk marine diesel, base oil and water to oil and gas vessels that would berth at the port.

It said the upgrading of Viking Offshore’s quayside to berth two supply vessels, dredging up of the breakwaters to eight metres and the construction of desalination plant to produce 1,500 litres of water a day would ensure effective and efficient operation of the port.

Other facilities to be constructed under the expansion programme include an Inland Container Depot at Sekondi.

According to the release, GPHA had already contracted a loan of 197 million euros towards the project, whiles the Government would support it with US$176 million dollars when it secured the $3 billion Chinese loan facility.

When completed, the project which is in three phases would position the port to receive bigger vessels, improve the turn-around time, eliminate congestion and double the handling of cargoes.

Source: GNA