The vessel, MV BABY HERCULES
The Takoradi Port has received a Bauxite carrier vessel, christened ‘MV BABY HERCULES’, which is the biggest ever vessel to call the Port since its construction in 1928.
This was as a result of the massive expansion drive carried out by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).
The vessel which is a Capesize bulk ship with Length Over All (LOA) of 240 meters (m) called at the Port of Takoradi over the weekend.
With the aid of the newly installed conveyer system and automated ship loaders with 2500 metric tons loading capacity, MV BABY HERCULES is set to load a record tonnage of 106, 530 metric tons of Bauxite in just five days, barring any bad weather at the Port of Takoradi.
Prior to the installation of the automated conveyer system and ship loaders at the Dry Bulk Terminal, the vessel, which is sailing under the flag of Panama would have taken between 12 to 15 days to complete the loading of the 106, 530 tons of bauxite.
The Director of Port for Takoradi, Peter Amoo-Bediako, described the call of MV BABY HERCULES at Takoradi Port as a timely accomplishment that will send positive signals to the global maritime industry about the enhanced status of the newly expanded Takoradi Port.
He said with the expansion drive at the Port, Takoradi has repositioned itself on the global maritime market as a deeper drafted Port which guarantees ships faster turnaround times,
“The management of GPHA in general is glad to see that the massive expansion drive we embarked on is bearing good fruits and attracting larger vessels from the Capesize vessel-family,” he said.
Mr. Amoo-Bediako further assured customers doing business at Takoradi Port that management of GPHA is committed to providing them with efficient services that would guarantee them value for money in their business.
He stated that “the logistics chain will be continuously monitored to facilitate the provision of efficient and quality service delivery that will guarantee our customers value for money in their business through the Port.”
The Chief Pilot at Takoradi Port, Captain Emmanuel Insaidoo who piloted the vessel from anchorage to berth said he “excited to see the long anticipated class of ships which has been the dream of Takoradi Port and GPHA as a whole, beginning to take berth in the port
“We are ready to receive another big vessel, ‘Newcastle Max’ with lengths of up to 300 metres that is about the length of three football fields put together,”he disclosed.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi