The Meridian Port Services (MPS) has entered into a purchasing deal with Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company Limited (ZPMC) for the acquisition of 15 new gantry cranes for the Ghanaian port of Tema, APA can report.
In the wake of the agreement signed last month, the port will receive 3 STS cranes and 12 eRTG cranes as part of a $53.31 million investment package which will enhance the capacity at Terminal 3 in the Port of Tema.
In a statement by MPS’ partner Bollore, the purchases signify a commitment to continuously improving its services to the benefit of the port community and Ghana.
“MPS’ Terminal 3 is currently equipped with 11 ST cranes, 2 mobile harbour cranes and 29 eRTG yard cranes. The increase in volume has led us to increase our fleet by an additional 15 gantries. We will be in a position to handle the world’s largest container vessels and the potential trade growth, thanks to the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA ),” Mr Mohamed Samara, CEO of MPS was quoted as saying in the statement.
Ghana’s Minister of Transport, and the executives of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) expressed delight at the new acquisitions.
They emphasised the positive socio–economic impact of the agreement and encouraged MPS to continue providing the Port of Tema with new infrastructure and state– of–the–art equipment.
The Managing Director of GPHA, Mr Michael Luguje said the progress of the Port of Tema’s Expansion Project was satisfactory and congratulated MPS for completing the construction of Terminal 3 and receiving the associated equipment ahead of schedule.
“The investment in the expansion of the Port of Tema has so far yielded positive results with MPS’ quality of service being among the best in the world. We will continue to work together to maintain this positive outcome and to monitor the development of the project in accordance with the master plan” he said.
The Meridian Port Services Limited (MPS) is a joint venture composed of Bolloré Transport & Logistics, APM Terminals and Ghana through the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).
Its two main areas of expertise are container handling and storage.
MPS currently employs 700 employees and generates almost 1,000 indirect jobs through its activities.
Each year, MPS rolls out solidarity initiatives in partnership with NGOs to support local populations.
With regular interventions committed to the environment, MPS also obtained the Green Terminal label (2 stars) in 2021, following an audit carried out by Bureau Veritas.
WN/as/APA