The Vice President of the Maritime Professionals Club (MPC), Ing. Teddy Mensah, has urged government to revive the Tema Shipyard--the vessel repair and maintenance facility at the Tema Harbour enclave—in order to harness the abundant opportunities in marine transport.

“Today, we are struggling to make sense of our economic balance sheet while several institutions in the maritime sector, which could be effectively harnessed to contribute to the economic growth of this country, remain dormant or defunct,” he said at the maiden Ghana Maritime and Shipping Awards in Accra.

Ing. Mensah argued that the various infrastructural developments ongoing at the Tema and Takoradi ports are relevant to position the country as a cargo transit hub along the West Coast of Africa but the focus should be extended to other ancillary service providers in the industry.

“Fast and efficient cargo handling and security, straight-forward and smooth cargo clearance procedures as well as optimisation of ancillary services in the ports, are all necessary components which need to be in the mix to make our port operations efficient and appealing,” he added.

Ing. Mensah indicated that “it was high time government gave due consideration to the development of shipping, ship repair and possibly shipbuilding as we aspire to change the fate of our dear nation for the better”.

He remarked that the success story of some Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and China could not be told without emphasising how they have managed and continue to develop maritime transport and marine services as a major component of their economies.

The Ministry of Transport, in the second quarter of last year, handed over the operations of the PSC Tema Shipyard and Dry Dock Company Limited to the country’s sea ports operator—Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

By that decision, the GPHA was tasked by government to help attract the much-needed resources that will enable the company to build Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Vessels even as it services the ports and harbours and related industry actors in the short- to medium-term.

“The decisions taken to transfer the PSC Tema Shipyard to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, and the provision of a mooring facility for the use of TOR, are expected to contribute significantly to efforts being made to create more jobs through diversification and value addition to the country’s raw materials,” the statement ordering the transfer read.

Aside the PSC Tema Shipyard, one other service provider that the MPC wants government to revive is the defunct national liner, Black Star Line.

According to the MPC, the revival of the once vibrant national shipping line will enhance the country’s fortunes on the global trade fronts and reposition the sea trade sector to drive the economy.

The Maritime Professionals Club is firmly convinced that the marine transport and associated services have the potential to contribute greatly to the economic growth of the country.