The 700 million-dollar Atuabo Free Port project is expected to become operational in 2017 and serve as a regional hub in promoting safe and efficient offshore businesses.

Mr Frank Hagan-Brown, Commercial Manager of the Atuobo Free Port Company Limited told the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of building local capacity and linking SMEs to the Oil and Gas Industry, organised by Pyxera Global Ghana Supply Chain Development Programme.

He said the master plan for the project is ready and the strategic location in West Africa is to advance and offer cost effective facilities comparable to the world's best supply bases.

He said the project had also made provision for lease with a seven- year payment plan to ensure that local businesses own part of the project to give local content, capacity building and local participation a meaning in the oil and gas industry.

The free port according to the commercial manager would be a dedicated to deep water port to grow the oil and gas industry.

Mr Hagan-Brown said the port upon completion would house facilities such as load out quay connected to fabrication assembly areas, and heavy lift capacity.

Others are service plot available for tenants and user and a fully accessible and protected port with deep 16. 5meter access, approach channel and port basin suitable for large heavy lift vessel, barges, rigs and floating production storage and offloading vessel.