• Meridian Port Services receives 16 electric RTG cranes for Tema Port expansion;

• $1.5 billion upgrade aims to raise capacity to 3 million TEUs annually by 2027;

• Tema leads regional container traffic but faces strong competition from Lomé and Abidjan.

Ghana adds a new batch of cargo equipment to increase the capacity of Tema Port. Meridian Port Services (MPS), a subsidiary of Africa Global Logistics, received 16 electric rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes for Terminal 3 at Tema Port. The delivery forms part of Phase 2 of the port expansion program, which John Dramani Mahama inaugurated in November.

The Ministry of Transport values the expansion program at about $1.5 billion. The program aims to increase container handling capacity to 3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per year.

Moreover, the project plans to deploy automated systems by 2027 to improve operational fluidity. MPS stated that the operational capacity upgrade also includes the delivery of three ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and 41 electric terminal trucks scheduled for Monday, April 20. These acquisitions will increase the number of quay cranes from 12 to 15 units and electric RTG cranes from 35 to 51 units.

Ghana directs these investments to handle traffic growth and strengthen Tema Port’s competitiveness. The port serves as a key transit platform for landlocked West African countries, including Burkina Faso and Niger. However, Tema faces strong competition from Port of Lomé and Port of Abidjan, which target the same hinterland markets.

The Abidjan port complex maintains a lead in total cargo volumes, handling 46.6 million tonnes in 2025. However, competition remains intense in container traffic.

Available data show that Abidjan handled 1.6 million TEUs in 2025, while Tema processed 2.2 million TEUs. Meanwhile, 2024 figures indicate that Lomé already exceeded 2.06 million TEUs, pending official 2025 statistics.

Ghana must address several challenges to sustain its competitive position. Authorities must improve operational coordination, enhance logistics service reliability and maintain competitive port costs as infrastructure expands.

This article was initially published in French by Henoc Dossa

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum