The Takoradi Port this year recorded a total port traffic of 9.9 million metric tons as against 8.2 million metric tons last year, representing 21 percent increase in total port traffic.

It also recorded a rise of 2.2 million metric tons in exports, representing a 42 percent.

Captain Ebenezer Afadzi, the Director of Takoradi Port, made this known at a press soiree organised by the port management in Takoradi to interact, inform and educate stakeholders about the development of the port.

Despite the positive total port traffic, he said, a decrease of 13 percent was recorded in imports, 21 percent decrease in transshipment and 26 percent in transit, but added that, it was only exports that registered an increase of 43 percent.

He indicated that vessels’ calls to the port also decreased by 206 from 1,712 in 2018 to 1.506 this year.

According to him, despite the increase in commercial vessel calls from 645 in 2018 to 743 this year, oil supply vessel calls decreased from 1,067 calls to 793 this year.

However, he was hopeful the situation was set to change in the coming year since a lot of activities were expected in the oil and gas field in 2020.

On the Takoradi Port expansion programme, Captain Afadzi said it achieved significant milestones under various projects and development.

Under the “New Bulk Jetty,” he said the construction of 800 m quay wall was completed and installed with 48 fenders and 28 bollards, and that discussions were on course to ensure the installation of a 3,000mt/hr capacity conveyor system to ensure efficient service delivery.

He said in August this year, the first quay block was positioned to signal commencement of work on new multipurpose container terminal and that all things being equal 600 metres of the quay wall would be completed in November 2020.

On the “New Oil Jetty,” Captain Afadzi said, so far, 95 percent of the first phase of the 300 meter -14 Chat Datum facility were completed.

Details of completed works include; the installation of 71 foundation piles, five loading arms and the mounting of seven Dolphins with cat ways between them.

The second phase of the New Oil Jetty project, which was ongoing involved the installation of a fire fighting system, pigging system, heat tracing line and metering.

It would be operational by the end of the first quarter of 2020, he said.

“Definitely, the completion of this new oil jetty will mean efficiency-gains as bigger vessels with larger volumes will enjoy quick turnaround,” Captain Afadzi added.