Maersk Group to invest $1.5b in Ghana’s Tema Port

The container terminal operating unit of Danish shipping company Maersk Group, APM Terminals has signed a deal with partners to invest $1.5 billion in Ghana’s major sea port, the Tema Harbour.

According to Maersk, the deal signed in Accra, Ghana Friday June 12, 2015 is to upgrade APM Terminals’ existing terminal at the Tema Port and add 3.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in annual throughput capacity.

The other partners are Bollore Africa Logistics and the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority (GPHA).

APM Terminals indicated that the new project consists of both a new greenfield port outside its present facility and a needed upgrade of the adjacent road network.

“Construction will include the building of four deep-water berths, a new breakwater and an access channel able to accommodate the world’s largest container ships. The project is also expected to create more than 5000 jobs,” the company said.

An MoU for the project was signed in November 2014, by Meridian Port Services (MPS) and the GPHA for the expansion plans.

The contractual details, and finalized preparations for the project’s required design and engineering studies were done completed within the past five months between MPS and the Ghana government.

The joint venture share is comprised of APM Terminals, 35 percent; Bolloré, 35 percent; and the Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority, 30 percent.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi