Takoradi Port Handles More Cargo

The Takoradi Port, handled two point six million tonnes of cargo last year, as against one point three million tonnes in 1987.

Container handling rose from 4,217 to 37,843 in the same year. Mr George Bredu, Principal Marketing Officer of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) disclosed in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Fijai.

The exports include timber, bauxite, cocoa (raw and partially Processed), coffee, lime juice and lime peels, he said. "This is the highest export of the Authority in 12 years adding that the country's exports are more than its imports." Mr Bredu said the port received 512 vessels as against 338 in 1987, signalling an improvement in the Authority's operations.

He noted that due to efficiency at the ports, the turnaround time for ships that formerly took four days now takes a day and a half. Mr Bredu regretted that many people assume that the port does not receive vessels, saying that such ideas are wrong.

He said the port, has a bright future and will operate at its maximum when the Export Processing Zones become operational.

The port has not experienced any tidal waves and the business community should feel free to use it", adding that a major hindrance to the Authority is the increasing sizes of modern vessels. "These vessels will find it difficult using our ports in the near future", he added.