Takoradi Port has received a heavy lift carrier/ship, MV Fair Partner, and an eco-hopper, which are the final components to complete the full installation and automation of the newly constructed Dry Bulk Terminal Conveyor System at the Port.
A statement by the Marketing and Public Affairs Manager for Takoradi Port, Dr Kinsley Antwi-Boasiako, says the completion of the conveyor system automation at the Port of Takoradi is meant to greatly enhance dry bulk cargo (manganese, bauxite, and clinker) exports and imports handling operations at Ghana’s premier commercial seaport.
The significance of the two ship loaders and eco-hopper is that, with a discharge capacity of 2500 MT/hour, the new conveyer system at the Port of Takoradi Dry Bulk Terminal can load a total of up to 120, 000 tonnes of bauxite and manganese in 48 hours, a remarkable improvement over the current manual grab system with a loading rate of approximately 8000 MT/24 hrs.
He said the installation of the Eco-hopper will also significantly reduce dust and other pollutant emissions, making operations at the port environmentally friendly.
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The Harbour Master at Port of Takoradi, Captain Richmond James Quayson, who supervised the berthing of the vessel carrying the equipment stated that, the automation of the conveyer system positions the 16m deep and 800m long dry bulk terminal to receive capsize vessels.
He further stated that the improved turnaround time for operations will enhance ship turnaround time at the quay as well as reducing ship waiting time at anchorage.
The construction of the dry bulk conveyor system and installation of the ship loaders and eco hopper are part of the second phase of the Dry Bulk Terminal Project, solely owned and operated by GPHA. Other aspects of the second phase include: an administrative block, a workshop, switching station, substations and complete pavement of the terminal and access road to the terminal. In the first phase, an 800m quay wall was constructed with berth pockets dredged to minus 16meters chart datum (i.e. 16 meters deep).
The Director of Port, Takoradi, Captain Ebenezer Afadzi lauded the shareholders, Management and staff of GPHA for the feat chalked.
He gave the assurance that Port of Takoradi will efficiently run the newly installed equipment at the Dry Bulk Terminal for the benefit of GPHA in general and Ghana as a whole.
The offloading of the two shiploaders and the eco-hopper will take up to four days, while their installation and testing after that will take up to four weeks.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu