The biggest ship ever to anchor at the Takoradi Port since its construction in 1928, has arrived at the port to load a consignment of 175,000 tons of manganese destined for China.

The Chinese vessel, christened the SIMIRIO, measuring 295 metres, will load the stock while three other ships were waiting to load 166 tons each of manganese.

The Marketing and Public Relations Manager of the Takoradi Port, Mr Peter Amoo-Bediako, made these known when he took journalists round the Takoradi Port.

Mr Amoo-Bediako said the cocoa business which was very brisk at the port had now been taken to Kajebil in the Ahanta West District, while handling of containers operations was taking place at TAKOTEL outside the port.

He explained that because of the large size of the ship, which could not allow it to berth inside the port, it had to be anchored about three nautical miles away in deep waters to enable manganese to be ferried onto the vessel.

The Manager said the Takoradi Port was now the preferred place for businesses, particularly for landlocked countries.

He explained that it was because the port was the safest port in the West African sub-Saharan region as far as the issues of piracy was concerned.

Mr Amoo-Bediako said the demand for manganese has tripled over the years, especially in China, so bigger ships were now ready to lift manganese at the port.

He said that the port had become the hub for all mining companies in Ghana, and other West African States, due to the stability at the port.