The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has denied claims that congestion at the Tema Port is the main reason cement prices have recently gone up.
The Authority says the cost of importing clinker and cement into Ghana depends on several factors. According to GPHA, port congestion is only one part of a much bigger supply chain and should not be blamed for the price increases on its own.
The response comes after the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, Ghana (COCMAG) linked the recent rise in cement prices to congestion at the Tema Port.
GPHA explained that the way ships are assigned berths at the port depends on safety and hygiene requirements. In particular, cement and clinker operations have to be kept separate from food cargo such as rice and wheat.
The Authority also pointed out that recent dredging work has made Berths 13 and 14 deeper. This means cement manufacturers can now receive larger ships, which could help them reduce costs by moving bigger quantities at once.
GPHA said another challenge is the limited number of trucks available to move cargo away from the port. When trucks are not available to clear cargo quickly, ships can remain at the port for longer periods.
For example, GPHA said a vessel carrying about 40,000 tonnes of clinker can stay at the berth for three to four weeks if the cargo cannot be moved out quickly.
The Authority is also encouraging cement manufacturers to use modern cargo-handling systems being introduced at the Tema Port.
These systems are expected to speed up the unloading of cargo, reduce the amount of time ships spend at the port and free up berths for other vessels.
GPHA stressed that cement prices should be looked at from a wider perspective. Factors such as vessel planning, trucking, cargo handling, the choice of port and transportation from the port to other parts of the country can all affect the final cost.
The Authority therefore says it is not accurate to blame the recent increase in cement prices solely on congestion at the Tema Port.
