THE AMBASSADOR of Colombia to Ghana, Claudia Turbay Quintero, has indicated that the Tema Port Expansion Project would boost the investment potential of Ghana.
The Ambassador made this known when she led members of the diplomatic community to pay a courtesy call on the Meridian Port Services (MPS) recently at the Tema Port.
She noted that MPS was making an unprecedented economic development which would have positive impact for trade and industries.
According to her, the project would help create numerous opportunities for investors.
Envoys of Australia, Benin, Brazil, Czech Republic, Iran, Israel, Korea, Kuwait, Mexico, Namibia, Senegal, Spain, Sudan, Zambia and Zimbabwe, among others, embarked on the visit.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Meridian Port Services (MPS), Mohamed Samara,
commenting on the project, said “we are creating new trade, connectivity and routes to new markets in West Africa. Basically, we are adding value to the lines, exporters & importers, the region and overall to the country”.
He pointed out efforts being made by MPS to accommodate larger vessels and improve cargo handling services with an increased port capacity, safety and efficiency.
MPS provides the shipping lines a Fixed Berthing Window where vessels are Berthed and Operated on arrival at the highest discharge/load productivity levels with real-time electronic data interchange using world-class Terminal Operating System (Navis-4).
He also revealed that several shipping lines were already getting ready to jump unto the opportunity that the expansion project has to offer.
“One of the world’s five largest liner shipping companies has taken the lead to announce their intention to create new direct service lines to West Africa with Tema as the first port of call and the home hub for the entire region,” said Mr. Samara.
The Port Project Director, Mark Nolet, briefed the delegation on the status of the project.
He stated that “the new terminal comes with Optical Character Recognition Technology, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tags and high-powered Scanners to monitor and record the movement of trucks and containers into and out of the terminal.”
“This will safeguard cargo and prevent unusual occurrences leading to loss of goods. It will also provide the Customs and other security agencies with accurate database of all trucks and cargo that passes through the port when the need arises for further probe,” he said.
With the opening of the additional port facility, MPS foresees an increase in volumes as well as a potential for transhipment in Tema.
BY DGN Online