VESSEL traffic at the Takoradi Port increased from 107 vessels in the first quarter of last year to 120 during the same period this year.

This represents an increase of 12 per cent. The port also registered an increase in cargo haulage from 793,972 metric tonnes in 2002 to 941,542 metric tonnes this year. The cargo haulage increase is 18.6 per cent.

The Director of the Takoradi Port, Mr N. P. Galley, disclosed this during a working visit by the Minister of Ports, Harbours and Railways, Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, to the port.

He disclosed that transit traffic through the Takoradi Port has also grown dramatically and announced that for the year 2002, transit traffic handled in the port was 17,000 metric tonnes.

For the first quarter of 2003, as much as 33,981 metric tonnes of transit cargo has been handled at the port. Mr Galley said the increase in cargo and transit cargo has necessitated the building of new transit sheds and warehouses in and around the port.

He said discussions are also under way with the COCOBOD to secure some of their sheds and facilities to be used as warehouses.

Mr Galley noted that 14 companies have expressed interest in developing the Takoradi Port under the authority?s land lord-policy.

He said the port authorities are confident that it will get some investors interested in the development of the port.

The port has embarked on ?22.5bn repair works on the its Lee Breakwater, while a contract has been awarded for the repair of Wharfs Five and Six at the port.

The sector Minister, Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi, stressed the need for collaboration between the railways and ports to enhance the socio-economic development of the country. He said there is the need to refine systems and procedures at the port to make it possible to clear goods from the harbour.

He called for management and staff of the port to work together to make Takoradi Port attractive.

Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi expressed the hope that workers and management of the port will help translate the vision of President J. A. Kufuor to modernise the port.

The Deputy Western Regional Minister, Ms Sophia Horner-Sam, said Takoradi Port has played a crucial role in the Ghanaian economy.

She therefore stressed the need for concerted efforts to attract more shippers to the port.