New transshipment vessel at T’di Port

 

Ghana Manganese Company (GMC) Limited, Shipping Management and Transport (SMT) Limited, a Dutch shipping company, and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) have outdoored a new transshipment vessel -- “MV GDANSK” -- at Takoradi Port to facilitate export of manganese ore.

The new transshipment vessel is an improvement to the current operations in terms of efficiency and quick turnaround of vessels’ operations in the midst of ongoing port expansion project development.

Also, it is to maximise the use of available facilities until the completion of the new bulk berth under the expansion of the project.

Jurgen Eigendal, Managing Director of GMC, at the unveiling of the vessel at Takoradi explained that the new transshipment vessel is a new innovative way of improving upon the sector.

He said it is expected that the new transshipment vessel will increase export volumes, and increase revenue at the Port for GMC and the government of Ghana.

Again, he said it is to enable GMC be in operation and able to go beyond the 2 million tonnes of manganese exported last year -- “We are expecting our tonnage to increase to between 55 and 60 million tonnes during this new transshipment.

“We are here to officially start loading -- GMC is now exporting low-grade manganese and our biggest client is in China which is a long way, hence the need for this new transshipment vessel,” he said.

Captain James Owusu Koranteng, Acting Director of the Takoradi Port, said the transshipment vessel marks the beginning of a new and improved transshipment mode to facilitate export of manganese ore.

“This innovative project seeks to transship large volumes of manganese within the shortest possible time -- as a leader in the maritime industry, GPHA will strive to achieve maritime operational efficiency,” he said.

Mr. Alfred Ekow Gyan, Deputy Western Regional Minister, pointed out that the region is endowed with rich resources which have value for money -- and one of such is the manganese ore.

He noted that export of manganese over the years has made significant gains for the country’s economy in the area of bulk shipment through Takoradi Port.

However, he said, in order to maximise bulk exports through the port, government is supportive of any specialised form of shipment innovation -- the pressing trade and economic demand of the ever-growing international market can no longer be sustained at a water depth that cannot meet bigger vessels requirements.

“I am of the conviction that the new shipment project will therefore augment government’s efforts in encouraging trade and investment to help reduce the cycle of employment,” he added.

He said government will therefore continue to increase an enabling environment to support the private sector for investment gains.

 

 

By Juliet DUGBARTEY, Takoradi

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