Zhenhua 24 vessel carrying three STS cranes and 12 RTG cranes arrives at Tema Port on 29 August 2023 (COURTESY)

Ghana’s Tema Port marked a historic milestone on 16 January 2024 with the arrival of Maersk Edirne, a 13,676-TEU container vessel - one of the largest of its kind globally - as part of Maersk’s newly launched Far East-West Africa express service. 

Starting from China’s Chiwan Port, calling at Nansha Port, and loading cargo in Singapore, the ship departed from Tanjung Pelepas Port in Malaysia on 26 December 2023 for Ghana. Twenty days later, it became the first vessel of such magnitude to dock at the newly developed Terminal 3 in Tema - heralding a new era for maritime logistics in West Africa and positioning Tema as the first port of call on this high-speed international shipping route. 

Strategically located 27 km east of Ghana’s capital Accra, Tema serves as the country’s foremost industrial and commercial hub. As the largest and most vital seaport in Ghana, Tema Port plays an indispensable role in facilitating both national and regional trade. Located along the northern shore of the Gulf of Guinea, it is not only central to Ghana’s import and export operations, but also serves as a critical gateway for landlocked countries across West Africa. 

However, decades of rapid economic growth and rising trade volumes placed increasing pressure on the port’s ageing infrastructure, creating bottlenecks that hindered further expansion. As the country strives to establish an export-driven economic model, an upgrade to the port was deemed essential to realising that vision. 

Path of renewal 

To meet this challenge, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority embarked on an ambitious two-phase expansion plan aimed at transforming Tema into a state-of-the-art maritime hub aligned with Ghana’s long-term development goals. Both phases of the project were undertaken by China Harbour Engineering Co. (CHEC), a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Co., while cutting-edge port equipment was supplied by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. (ZPMC). After 49 months of work, the terminal commenced operations in June 2020, significantly boosting the port’s cargo-handling capacity and enabling it to accommodate some of the world’s largest container ships. 

As part of Phase II which continued under CHEC’s leadership, ZPMC delivered three more ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and 12 additional rubber tyre gantry (RTG) cranes, enhancing the port’s throughput and efficiency. 

Referring to the decision to continue with CHEC for the second phase of the project, Mark Nolet, project director for Tema Port expansion, praised the company’s role in the endeavour: “We have stuck with CHEC because of their track record, as we experienced in the first phase of this project. They have demonstrated that they are indeed remarkable port builders, and we are happy to partner with them in this second phase.” 

The inauguration ceremony for the second phase was held on 15 November 2023 and was attended by former Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who praised the project as a crucial step in modernising the port facilities, and a pivotal advancement for Ghana’s trade and economic development. 

Technological highlights 

Beyond its physical expansion, the port has also undergone a technological transformation. Tema Port has emerged as one of the most technologically advanced and operationally efficient ports in Sub-Saharan Africa. The newly installed ZPMC equipment features some of Africa’s most sophisticated semi-automated systems.  

According to Liu Peng, deputy general manager and safety supervisor of ZPMC’s African subsidiary, the equipment has been well received by the port’s technical team. “The port’s equipment department has given very high praise for the performance and reliability of our machines,” he told ChinAfrica. 

The high quality of the project has garnered international recognition. In 2021, the Tema Port Expansion Project Phase I was awarded the ENR Global Best Projects Award in the Airport/Port category by Engineering News-Record magazine, acknowledging its exemplary design and execution. Further demonstrating the port’s elevated status, on 20 April, Terminal 3 welcomed the MSC DILETTA, a 400-metre-long, 24,000-TEU container ship, marking the largest vessel ever to berth in Sub-Saharan Africa and showcasing the terminal’s world-class capabilities. 

Lasting impact 

The transformation of Tema Port is already delivering clear economic benefits. The port’s enhanced infrastructure will lead to reduced shipping times and lower freight costs, positively impacting traders, industrial producers, and consumers alike. As Ghana aspires to become a leading export-oriented economy, the new terminal plays a critical enabling role and supports the broader objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). As Ghana positions itself as a logistics and trade powerhouse in West Africa, Tema Port will serve as a central artery for regional and international commerce. The infrastructure not only supports current demand but is built to accommodate future growth and larger shipping volumes in line with the AfCFTA ambitions. 

The expansion project has also had a profound impact on local employment and skills development. During Phase I alone, over 5,000 jobs were created, with 90 percent of the workforce comprised of Ghanaians trained to international standards. This emphasis on skills development has helped to empower local workers and strengthen Ghana’s industrial foundation. 

The success of the Tema Port project exemplifies the synergy between Ghana’s economic aspirations and China’s engineering expertise. The project stands as a remarkable testament to the deepening partnership between Ghana and China under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.  

As Chinese enterprises continue to increase investment and engagement across Africa, they have also actively embraced corporate social responsibility, contributing to local community development and sustainable socio-economic progress. The Tema Port expansion project stands as a shining example of this evolving model of cooperation: combining infrastructure excellence with long-term development goals.