Takoradi port expansion works begin to service oil sector
Expansion works on the Takoradi Port has started in earnest following the arrival of vital equipment for the project.
When completed, the project is expected to position the port to receive bigger vessels, improve the turn-around time and to eliminate double handling of cargoes.
Two construction firms, Messrs Jan-de-Dul from Belgium and China Harbour Construction of China are executing the three-year project.
Messrs Jan-de-Dul is responsible for the extension of the breakwater, the bulk jetty, dredging, as well as backfilling estimated at €197 million, while China Harbour Construction would be constructing the roads and superstructure, as well as stuffing of the log pond at a cost of $150millon.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Director of the Takoradi Port, Capt. James Owusu Koranteng, said the expansion works would include the extension of the existing main break water by 1.5km northward, construction of oil services terminal, reclamation of land area of 53,000 hectares, dredging of an access channel and construction of a bulk terminal.
He said there would also be an opening of a storage area for oil gas pipelines, as well as plant and machinery needed for the oil and gas sector.
The dredging, he said, would ensure single handling of cargo to reduce the cost mostly associated with import and export of commodities.
Capt. Koranteng said upon completion, manganese, bauxite and other bulk cargo operations would be transferred to a new dedicated jetty.
He explained that the expansion would also free the existing manganese terminal for the increasing demand of other sectors, including oil and gas.
The important part of the project, he said, was the expansion of the breakwater, which would pave the way for other constructional works and improve significantly the turn-around time at the port.
Capt. Koranteng said with a dedicated terminal for offshore oil and gas operations, the port would be well positioned to receive traffic from other countries.
Source: Daily Graphic