The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has pushed back against claims by the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, Ghana (COCMAG) that congestion at the Port of Tema is responsible for the recent increase in cement prices.
In a response to the chamber’s concerns, the GPHA said cement prices are influenced by several operational and commercial factors and cautioned against attributing price increases solely to congestion at the port.
The Authority said its responsibility is to ensure that the Port of Tema serves all users efficiently while maintaining safe and hygienic operating conditions.
It explained that the handling of food-related cargo such as rice and wheat requires strict separation from cement and clinker operations for health, safety and environmental reasons.
“For hygiene, safety and environmental reasons, the handling of cement and clinker cannot be mingled with other general cargo,” the GPHA said.
According to the Authority, the separation of cargo operations is an important consideration in the allocation and use of berths at the port.
The GPHA also pointed to recent dredging works at the Port of Tema as an opportunity for cement manufacturers to improve their operations.
It said Berth 13 now provides depths of up to 14 metres, while Berth 14 provides up to 12 metres, allowing cement companies to receive larger vessels and potentially benefit from economies of scale.
The Authority said larger vessels could help reduce unit logistics costs, depending on how cement manufacturers plan their shipping and inland transportation operations.
To support cement and clinker handling, the GPHA said Berths 3, 13 and 14 have been designated as common-user berths.
These berths are shared among several cement companies and cannot be dedicated exclusively to a single importer.
The GPHA further noted that cement and clinker cargo are also handled at the Port of Takoradi, providing manufacturers with an alternative within Ghana’s maritime logistics network.
It encouraged cement companies to consider the most efficient combination of ports, vessel sizes, discharge arrangements and inland transportation when planning their operations.
A major concern raised by the Authority is the evacuation of cargo from the port.
The GPHA said a vessel carrying approximately 40,000 tonnes of clinker could face prolonged berth occupancy if there are not enough trucks available to transport the cargo to factories located outside the port.
According to the Authority, inadequate trucking capacity could leave vessels at berth for between seven and 10 days.
Such delays, it said, reduce berth availability for other vessels and put additional pressure on port operations.
The GPHA is also moving to modernise cement and clinker handling at Tema Port, with plans for more efficient cargo-handling systems that would reduce reliance on traditional grabs and hoppers.
The Authority is encouraging cement manufacturers to invest in and adopt the new handling technology as it is introduced, saying the move could improve vessel turnaround times and optimise berth utilisation.
The GPHA stressed that improving port efficiency requires cooperation across the entire supply chain.
It said proper vessel planning, adequate trucking capacity, efficient cargo discharge, modern handling technology and timely evacuation are all necessary to improve operations.
The Authority therefore urged stakeholders, including cement manufacturers, to consider the broader logistics and supply chain when assessing the causes of rising cement prices rather than placing the blame solely on port congestion.
Read the statement below:
