Ghana Bets $235mln on Takoradi Port Expansion to Build Regional Maritime Hub

November 12, 2026 | By Semahegn Nigatu

Ghana is investing more than 235 million US dollars in expanding Takoradi Port, including the development of a ship repair facility intended to attract vessels currently travelling to Europe and South Africa for maintenance.

President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday inaugurated the construction of two projects: Project Shiprite, a 137 million US dollar integrated ship repair and maintenance facility, and Berth 19, a 98.41 million US dollar port infrastructure project.

The investment is aimed at expanding the port's capacity while positioning Ghana as a regional centre for maritime repair services in the Gulf of Guinea.

Project Shiprite, being developed by Prime Meridian Docks Ghana Limited (PMD), will provide repair and maintenance services for cargo vessels and offshore ships. The facility is expected to address a gap in regional maritime infrastructure, as vessels operating along the Gulf of Guinea, including oil rigs and ships from Nigeria, currently have limited local options for major maintenance work.

According to Mahama, some vessels are forced to travel to Europe or Durban, South Africa, for repairs, increasing the distance and time required to access specialised maritime services.

The facility is scheduled for completion within 18 months and will operate under a 25-year concession. It is expected to create 430 jobs.

Mahama said the project would fill an existing gap in the maritime services market and called for technology transfer and local participation to ensure that Ghanaian workers acquire the technical capabilities required to sustain the operation.

"I believe if they gain the technology transfer, it will even make them internationally marketable," he said.

The second project, Berth 19, involves the construction of a 300-metre-long berth with a capacity to accommodate vessels of up to 75,000 deadweight tonnes. The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) is financing the 98.41 million US dollar development from its own resources.

The authority expects the new facility to improve port operations, increase revenue and provide capacity for further expansion.

The projects form part of the government's efforts to strengthen the country's transport infrastructure and improve its position in regional trade. Mahama said the government had secured funding for the Western railway line and selected major highways under its Big Push infrastructure programme to complement the port investments.

The planned transport links are intended to improve the movement of cargo from Takoradi into Ghana's hinterland and towards landlocked Sahelian markets.

The ship repair project also reflects a shift towards private-sector participation in the management of specialised maritime infrastructure. Mahama cited challenges associated with the Tema Dry Dock Shipyard, established under Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah, arguing that private operators were better positioned to manage such facilities.

He also acknowledged the support of the UK government and other partners involved in the projects.

The combined developments represent an expansion of Takoradi Port's role beyond cargo handling, adding specialised ship maintenance services to its operations while increasing its capacity to accommodate larger vessels.

Source: FSX Business News