Meridian Port Services Ltd (MPS) has announced the successful completion and handover of Phase 2 of the Tema Port Expansion Project, marking a historic milestone in Ghana’s maritime sector.
The achievement adds 270,000 square meters of cutting-edge terminal space to the existing one million square meters already operational, further cementing Tema Port’s place as one of West Africa’s most advanced trade gateways.
The yard extension project was delivered by the joint venture contractor, De Simone Ltd. and EIFFAGE Génie Civil Marine SA, with AECOM serving as the project management consultant.
The handover ceremony was not only a celebration of engineering excellence but also a recognition of a remarkable safety record: 2.5 million safe man-hours without a single Lost Time Injury (LTI).
Safety and excellence praised
Opening the ceremony, Mr. Ernest Lartey, AECOM’s Project Manager, praised the construction teams for maintaining discipline and a safety-first culture throughout the project.
“Since the site opened in June 2023, we’ve recorded zero Lost Time Injuries (LTI), a remarkable achievement over 27 months of construction,” he noted.
Mr. Gregory Le Roux, Project Director for the contractor joint venture, highlighted the project’s contribution to local employment.
At its peak, he said, over 600 Ghanaians were employed, gaining valuable skills in large-scale maritime infrastructure development.
He also lauded the workforce for laying an astounding 13.5 million pavement blocks, a feat that demonstrated both endurance and teamwork.
A birthday gift for the CEO and Ghana
For the CEO of MPS, Mr. Mohamed Samara, the completion of Phase 2 was deeply personal.
He described the milestone as “the greatest birthday gift of my life,” symbolising not only the growth of MPS but also Ghana’s advancement in global trade competitiveness.
“We are delivering a fabulous investment to our beloved Ghana,” he said, extending gratitude to contractors, subcontractors, and the entire MPS management team.
The Phase 2 expansion includes not only the newly developed yard but also complementary facilities such as a spare parts warehouse and a marine courtyard constructed by CONSAR Ghana Ltd.
Additional improvements, including an export inspection platform, are expected before the end of the year, further enhancing the terminal’s operational efficiency.
With the completion, the terminal now covers 1.27 million square meters (127 hectares), all reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean—a remarkable achievement in modern engineering.
Powering Ghana’s future trade hub
To support the expanded infrastructure, three new state-of-the-art KOHLER power plants have been delivered and are currently being commissioned.Each unit is powered by 16-cylinder turbocharged, emission-optimised engines capable of generating 4,500 kVA and stepped up to 20,000 volts.
These will provide sustainable and reliable electricity for the terminal’s extensive operations, ensuring uninterrupted efficiency at both the yard and the waterfront.
In a symbolic gesture, Mr. Lartey of AECOM handed over the ceremonial key to MPS Project Manager, Mr. Abdoul-Rachid Alfa-Traore, who, in turn, passed it on to the Operations Team led by Mr. Mahmoud Ayoub, Chief Operations Officer of MPS.
The exchange underscored the transition from construction to full-scale operations.
Projects built on human spirit
Reflecting on the project, Mr. Samara emphasised that success in projects of such scale is not merely about machinery or money, but about determination and teamwork.
“Projects of this magnitude are not built by machines alone, but by the human spirit. This is proof of what can be accomplished when vision meets dedication, when teamwork meets excellence, and when passion meets persistence,” he said.
He credited the company’s shareholders and Board of Directors for their unwavering support, noting that MPS is now strongly positioned to propel Ghana’s transformation into a logistics hub of global repute.
Transforming Ghana’s maritime landscape
The Tema Port Expansion Project, launched in November 2016, was designed to revolutionise Ghana’s maritime landscape by delivering a state-of-the-art container terminal with deep-draught berths and advanced technological systems.
Over the years, the project has been a central component of Ghana’s drive to position itself as a competitive, export-driven economy.
The successful delivery of Phase 2 aligns seamlessly with President John Dramani Mahama’s 24-hour economy policy, which seeks to accelerate industrialization, boost exports, and enhance trade efficiency.
The expanded Tema Port will play a critical role in supporting this vision by facilitating larger cargo volumes, improving turnaround times, and attracting greater international trade flows into Ghana.
A new era for Ghana’s trade gateway
As the Atlantic waves give way to one of Africa’s largest reclaimed port sites, the completion of Phase 2 marks more than just a construction achievement.
It signals a bold step forward for Ghana’s economic future, ensuring that Tema Port remains a vital artery in the continent’s maritime trade network.
With advanced facilities, a record-breaking safety culture, and a commitment to community impact, Meridian Port Services has not only built infrastructure but also a foundation for Ghana’s rise as a logistics powerhouse in the region and beyond.
