Port of Takoradi 

Key port information can also be found at: link  

Port Overview: 
 

The Port is located in the south-western part of Ghana, specifically in the city of Takoradi about 230 kilometers west of Accra – the capital city of Ghana.  

Port of Takoradi is well connected to its hinterland which makes it the preferred and ideal gateway to the central and northern parts of Ghana and the Sahelian countries of Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali. It is Ghana’s premier commercial Port commissioned for business in 1928 to facilitate Ghana’s international trade. The Port is strategically located on latitude 4°532’north, 1°345’west. The strategic location of the Port makes it a very cost-effective route to and from Europe, America and Asia, as well as a cost-effective corridor to serve the population of Ghana and the three Sahelian countries.  

Prior to the year 2013, when the Port Expansion Master Plan was rolled out, the berthing facilities of the Port consisted of seven (7) berths and four (4) working buoys. The depth of the berths ranges from 8.6 to 10.0 metres, while the buoys are within 7 to 11 meters. As part of the implementation of the Port Expansion Master Plan, between 2015 and 2022, seven additional berths were added as follows:    a three-berth 800 metre automated dry bulk terminal with a draft of minus 16 meters chart datum, the deepest of its kind in West Africa; a two-berth 600 meter container terminal with a draft of minus 16 meters chart datum and a  one-berth 300 meter liquid bulk terminal with a draft of 14 meters chart datum.  This brought total number of available operable berths in the Port to fourteen (14). A three-berth  550 meter upstream oil and gas terminal with a draft of 10 meters chart datum is under construction and is due to be completed in September 2024.  

 

Services provided by the Port in collaboration with its business partners include, but not limited to: Vessel handling(pilotage, towage,mooring/unmooring), Cargo Handling, Craft and Equipment Hire, spatial and storage facilities rental, Ship Waste reception and management, Port Security, Fire and Safety, Bunkering, Utilities (electricity and freshwater),  Vessel Maintenance and Repair services, Fishing Harbour and Health services. 

In 2023, the Port handled 32.6% of Ghana’s seaborne traffic, 69.3% of Ghana’s seaborne exports and 17% of Ghana’s seaborne imports. Major commodities handled through the Port are manganese, bauxite, clinker, ammonium nitrate, wheat, bulk and bagged cocoa, quicklime, containerised cargo, equipment for the mining and oil/gas industries.  

Traffic through the Port is facilitated by leading shipping lines like Maersk, MSC, Grimaldi, DELMAS and CMA-CGM which have extended the trading influence of our clients globally. With its wide range of equipment stock and the support of the private sector, the Port offers a range of services to facilitate the efficient and cost-effective delivery of value to clients. 

The Port of Takoradi, since the discovery of oil in commercial quantities offshore in Ghana in 2007, about 70 nautical miles from its location, has contributed significantly to Ghana’s economy and continues to be the main strategic logistics support base for the offshore exploration and production of oil/gas in Ghana and beyond. Indeed, vessel calls have increased from a little under 600 per annum (pre oil discovery in 2007) to over 1000 calls per annum since 2010 up to 2020, before dropping to between 918 and 861 vessel calls from 2021 to 2023, largely because of slowdown in operations in the offshore oil fields due to, among others the knock-on effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and other significant developments on the global economy and oil prices. Offshore supply vessels calls as a percentage of total vessel calls of the Port, increased from 11% in 2007 to an annual average of 60% from 2011 through to 2019, before declining to 49%, 48%, 46% and 43% in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively. 

Port website: Takoradi Port  

Port Location and Contacts
Country	Ghana
Province or District	Western Region
Town or City (Closest location) with Distance (km)	Name: Takoradi  km: 1 Km
Port's Complete Name	Port of Takoradi
Latitude	4°532’N
Longitude	1°345’W
Managing Company or Port Authority (If more than one operator, break down by area of operation)	Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority
Management Contact Person	Director of Port Mr. Peter Amoo-Bediako
Closest Airport and Frequent Airlines to / from International Destinations	Airport Name: Takoradi Airport  Airlines: Domestic flights only

 

Port Picture 

Services Delivery Responsibilities and Conditions 

Vessel Handling 

All vessel handling operations are solely the responsibility of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, performed by the Marine Operations Department under the supervision of the Harbour Master. 

Pilotage 

This service is available 24 /7 and is compulsory for all vessels entering and leaving or shifting berths in the Port. Vessels wishing to enter the Port must await pilots at eight cables NE of starboard breakwater (lee breakwater head) or buoys. Alternatively, they should anchor at Quarantine anchorage. 

 

Towage 

This service is compulsory within the main harbour and is ordered through the signal station or via an agent. Tugs of up to 1,250hp are available on special application. Three tugs of 1250kw to5050kw with about 40 to 80 tonnes bollard pulls are available for towage service. 

 

Mooring / Unmooring / Berthing 

The service for mooring and berthing includes tying of ropes and the supply of necessary boats and crew for the purposes of mooring and the allocation of berths to vessels. 

Mooring and berthing charges are payable whether a ship is berthed alongside a quay or at the buoys. There is payment for each movement. 

 

Stevedoring 

Stevedoring services are provided by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).  

 

Waste Reception Facilities 

Waste reception service is provided by Zeal Environmental Technologies, a private company in the Port. 

 

Fresh Water Supply 

The supply of fresh water is provided by GPHA Fire & Safety Department. Fresh water is available by pipe at berths 2, 4, 5 and 6. Rate of supply is 20 tonnes/ hour.  Water barges supply vessels moored at buoys. 

 

Dock Labour Service 

The Ghana Dock Labour Company (GDLC) is responsible for the supply of labour to companies operating in the Port. 

 

Storage and Warehousing Services 

The Port has sheds with storage covered area of 140,000m², open storage area of 250,000m² with container holding capacity of 5000teus. There are also private warehouses in and around the Port to augment its capacity. 

 

Fire and Safety 

The Port's Fire and Safety Department has a 24/7 well-organized, well trained, committed and dedicated firefighting service personnel with modern firefighting equipment. Tugs are fitted with firefighting equipment with fire monitors. The Department is also responsible for the operation of fire hydrants planted at wharfs 2,4, 5, 6 and within 100m radius everywhere in the Port. Other services provided include monitoring of hot works, hazardous cargo and confined spaces in the Port, as well as ship bunkering standby and pumping duties. The promised response time to incidents within the Port’s fence is 3 minutes. Fire service can be contacted from all boxes on transit sheds and at the main gate. Alternatively, call +233312022191 ext. 4906 VHF radio communication channel 14. 

 

Security 

The Port of Takoradi is renowned for its excellent security network. It has well skilled operations staff, drilled and dedicated security personnel to ensure the safety and security of all types of cargo. 

The security network has further been improved with the installation of a closed-circuit television (CCTV)network in the Port. With this, cargoes and personnel working in the Port are safe and secured. Our Port Security Department works hand in hand with the National Security, the Police Service, the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) and the Narcotics Control Commission of Ghana. 

  

Ship Repair Facility 

The Port has a shipyard that is equipped with a dry-dock and slipway that has been modernized and expanded to accommodate vessels and crafts up to 400 tons. The shipyard can boast of the following: 

• Longstanding dependable experience in the Marine Crafts Maintenance Business since 1928. 

• State-of the-art machinery and equipment that fit the third millennium requirements for Ships’ Refurbishment, Treatment and Maintenance. 

• Highly skilled and experienced workforce, well trained and certified by Lloyds and ABS. 

• Versatile skill-mix to carry out every type of task to be done on any kind of vessel with LOA 45m, beam of 9m and draft of 3.5m. 

 

Port Call Requirements and Navigational Information 

 

ARRIVAL (Advising ETA) 

Advance notice of 72 hours is required, prior to estimated time of arrival (ETA) of a vessel, one (1) hour prior notice is required of ships to prepare their engines before berth. 

 

ANCHORAGE 

Vessels can anchor anywhere NE of the lee breakwater head. Depth is mostly over 15m with good holding ground. A wreck with depth of 8.5m is in position approximately 04 degrees 53.3N 001 43.0W. A patch of about 14m is positioned approximately 04 degrees 53.7N 001 42.5W. 

 

TOWAGE 

The Port has three (3) tugboats and two must always be in attendance for berthing, sailing and shifting. The tugs are fitted with monitors for firefighting. Tugs reaches up to 1,250 hp, available on special application. Two tugs of 1,860kw with about 40 tones bollard pull and a third one with 80tons bollard pull, are available. 

 

TIDES 

It has a semi-diurnal with a range of about 1 meter. 

 

RADIO 

The signal station may be contacted 24hrs through VHF on channels 14 (port working channel) and 16 (international). On the average, vessels can be reached between 30-40 nautical miles away from the Port (3hrs away from anchorage). During the harmattan seasons, signals can be heard as far as Abidjan, Togo and Nigeria. The Port of Takoradi is linked to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). 

 

APPROACH 

Approach to entrance is free from hazards apart from a reef south of the main breakwater and wrecks noted on the Admiralty chart NO. 3102. Channel depth at entrance is about 17m. 

 

WEATHER 

Two rainy seasons occur within a year: April to July and September to mid-November. Prevailing winds are from SW except during the harmattan season when NE wind dominates. 

 

TANKERS 

Tankers up to 300 metres in length and 14 metres draught carrying a load of 60,000tons of liquid bulk cargo, can be accommodated at the liquid bulk terminal of the Port known as the Marshall Oil & Gas Services Liquid Bulk Terminal - the deepest in-harbour liquid bulk terminal in Ghana. The terminal is fitted with automated fire-fighting equipment. 

 

Port Performance 

 

Total vessel calls recorded as at the end of 2023 was 861. Significantly, the Dry Bulk Terminal alone received and loaded 30 export vessels – of which 11 were capsize and mini-capsize bulk carriers, with Length Overall (LOA) ranging from 230 metres to 300 metres. 

 

Port cargo traffic in metric tonnes (MTs), at the end of 2023, was 7.5 million MTs, compared to 7.3 million MTs recorded in the same period for 2022, resulting in a growth variance of 234,550 MTs representing 3.19 percent. 

 

Manganese export traffic in 2023 was a little over 3 million MTs compared to 3.1 million MTs recorded for the same period in 2022. This resulted in a variance of -39,941MTs, representing 1.28 percent decline. 

 

Bauxite export traffic in 2023 was 1.2 million MTs compared to 534,595 MTs recorded in 2022. Consequently, resulting in a positive variance of 686,253MTs representing 128.36 percent growth. 

 

Port Container Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) traffic as at end of 2023 was 35,940 TEUs, compared to 38,699 TEUs recorded in 2022 – thus resulting in a variance of -2,759 representing 7.12 percent less than the previous year.  

 

 

PORT COMMUNTIY STAKEHOLDERS 

• Ghana Revenue Authority - Customs Division, 

• Shipping Lines/Agents, 

• Ghana Shippers' Authority (GSA) 

• Customs House Agents/Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), 

• Nick-TC Scan 

• Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) 

• Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) 

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

• Minerals Commission 

• Narcotics Control Commission 

• Veterinary Services 

• Port Health 

• Plant Quarantine 

• Port Marine Police 

• Ghana Police Service (Arms and Ammunitions) 

• National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) 

• Office of the National Security Coordinator 

• National Security  

• IbisTek - Takoradi Container Terminal (TACOTEL) 

 

CUSTOMS EXCISE AND PREVENTIVE SERVICE (CEPS) 

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division is mandated by Government to collect duties on all imports and exports. They promote the protection of revenue through the prevention of smuggling of goods across Ghana's borders. In addition, the Customs Division is a member of Ghana's security services. Thus, they have responsibility to protect the boundaries of Ghana by preventing external aggression and maintaining the territorial integrity of Ghana. Import and export restrictions and prohibitions are supervised by the Customs Division. For further information visit: www.gra.gov.gh  

 
IMPORT CLEARANCE PROCESS 
Customs clearance of cargo through the Port involves dealing with several logistics service providers and governmental bodies in order toto fulfil all contractual and tax obligations that might be associated with the imported consignment. The agencies include the Customs, the Port, other receipt delivery service providers, shipping lines and agents. 

Customs act 2015 act 891 section 43 enjoins all importers except for Self-Declarants to engage the services of licensed Customs House Agents for the clearance of cargo at any freight station in Ghana. 

The clearance process comprises the following: 

• Declaration of cargo data on to the UNIPASS-Ghana Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) System 

• Customs Document Verification, System Validation, cargo Classification and Valuation, Risk Assessment and quality assurance, payment of duty, cargo verification. 

• Release by the Shipping Agent, 

• Delivery by the Port and other receipt delivery service providers 

• Customs physical examination or scanning of cargo before cargo is allowed to exit the Port. 

See: https://gra.gov.gh/customs/import-procedures/  

 

EXPORT PROCEDURES 

Exports are grouped into two main categories - traditional exports and non-traditional exports. 

See: https://gra.gov.gh/customs/export-procedures/  

 

Traditional Exports 

Commodities that are grouped under Traditional Export are: 

• Cocoa Beans 

• Sawn Timber 

• Mineral Ore (e.g., unprocessed Manganese and Bauxite) 

• Fresh fish 

• Fresh yam 

N.B.: This list could change depending on government policy. Commodities that are grouped under Non-Traditional Exports are all commodities outside the Traditional Export List. 

 

The UNIPASS-Ghana ICUMS System 

UNIPASS-Ghana operates an electronic integrated customs management system (ICUMS) for processing trade and customs documents in Ghana. This network managed by the Ghana Revenue Authority Customs Division, facilitates the clearance of cargo from the Port. This service helps to reduce illegalities in tax payment and collection. The system provides complete audit trail on all imports and exports through the Port. For guidance visit: https://stakeholders.unipassghana.com/how-to  

 

Clearing and Forwarding Agencies 

Port of Takoradi has available experienced and dedicated clearing and forwarding agents for the professional handling of all cargoes through the Port. For further information, the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders can be contacted through their email and website at: 

Email: giff@ghana.org or giff@ghanafreightforwarders.org  

Website: www.ghanafreightforwarders.org/  

 

 

Seasonal Constraints	Yes / No	From <month> to <month>
Rainy Season	No
Major Import Campaigns	No
Other

 

Handling Figures	Year 2023
Vessel Calls	861
Container Traffic (TEUs)	35,940

 

Handling Figures Bulk and Break Bulk	Year 2023
Bulk (MT)	6,891,339
Break bulk (MT)	688,130

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges 

Information on discharge rates and terminal handling charges could be found in the following link: Port Tariffs 

Berthing facilities – Lengths and Draughts 
 

 DRY BULK TERMINAL:  DBT 1,2,3   Length:800m, Depth 16m 

ATS CONTAINER TERMINAL:  ATST 1& 2   Length: 600m Depth: 16m 

MARSHAL OIL&GAS LIQUID BULK TERMINAL:  MOGS 1 Length: 300m Depth: 14m 

Type of Berth	Quantity	Length (m)	Maximum Draft (m)
Conventional Berth	3	153  153  183	9  9  9
Container Berth	2	225	10
Silo Berth	No
Berthing Tugs	3	One on standby
Water Barges	1

 

 

Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority 

General Cargo Handling Berths 

Cargo Type	Berth Identification
Imports - Bagged Cargo	All berths are multipurpose
Exports - Bagged Cargo	Idem
Imports and Exports - RoRo	Idem
Other Imports

Port Handling Equipment 

Is the port equipment managed by the government or privately? By the government/YILPORT-ATSL 

EQUIPMENT	CAPACITY	QUANTITY	CONDITION
Forklift	10 Tons	1	Good
Forklift	16 Tons	1	Good
Forklift	5 Tons	2	Good
Teletruck	3.5 Tons	1	Good
Terminal /Tug Master	36 Tons	5	Good
Loaderdall	4 Tons	1	Good
Roro Trailers	50 Tons	10	Good
Terminal Trailers	65 Tons	7	Good
ReachstackerReach stacker	45 Tons	3	Good
ReachstackerReach stacker	10Tons	1	Good
Mobile Crane	80 Tons	1	Good
Liebherr Mobile Harbour Crane LHM 550	144Tons	3	Good

 

For edible bulk e.g.; Sugar and Rice, we use (the Tele Truck 3.5 Tons) Terminal trailers and Terminal tractors flat.  

Other bulk cargo like Wheat, hoppers are mostly used. 

 

Equipment	Available   (Yes / No)	Total Quantity and Capacity Available	Comments on Current Condition and Actual Usage
Dockside Crane	Yes	144 Tons x3	One of the two in good condition
Container Gantries	No
Mobile Cranes	Yes	3 x 55mt	Good condition
ReachstackerReach stacker	Yes	15 x (20mt & 40mt)	Good condition
RoRo Tugmaster (w/ Trailer)	Yes	18 x (40mt, 50mt & 80mt)
Grain Elevator w/ Bagging Machines	No
TranstrainerTranstainer	No
Forklifts	Yes	14 x (5mt to 32 mt)	Good condition

 

Container Facilities 

The container yard has a capacity of 5000 TEUs.  

Facilities	20 ft	40 ft
Container Facilities Available	Yes	Yes
Container Freight Station (CFS)	Yes	Yes
Refrigerated Container Stations	Yes	Yes
Other Capacity Details
Daily Take Off Capacity (Containers per day)	300 TEU per day
Number of Reefer Stations (connection points)	100
Emergency Take-off Capacity (Give an indication)	120 TEU
Off take capacity of gang shift (in Containers per shift)	20 movements / hour

 

Terminal Information 

Multipurpose Terminal 

All 5 berths are multipurposemultipurpose, and each one can serve to provide RoRo facilities.  

Grain and Bulk Handling 

There aren’t any facilities for direct bagging from ship discharge.  

 

Main Storage Terminal 

Port has sheds with storage covered area of 140,000m2, open storage area of 250,000m2 with container holding capacity of 5000teus. There are also private warehouses in and around the port to augment the ports capacity. 

Storage Type	Number of Storage Facilities	Area (square meters)
Bagged Cargo	Private warehouses	32,000 MT
Refrigerated Cargo	Only reefer containers
General Cargo	As for Bagged Cargo

Stevedoring 

As already stated above, stevedoring services are provided by GPHA and 4 licensed private stevedoring companies. The port stevedore department handles 25% with the remaining 75% allocated to the four (4) companies licensed to operate in the Port. Cargo allocations are handled by the Harbour Master. Private Stevedore companies operating in the port are: Advance Stevedore, Atlantic Port Services, Speedline Company, Gemini Maritime Services, Golden Gate Services.  

Hinterland Information 

The transportation of the goods from the Port can only be done through GHTDA Ghana Haulage Truck Drivers Association and if transit to Burkina Faso, then must consult the Burkina Shippers’ Council as there is a quota sharing regarding this market. The Port of Takoradi has dedicated clearing and forwarding agents for the professional handling of all cargoes through the port. For further information, the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders can be contacted through their email and website at: GIFF 

Port Security 

As already mentioned above, the Port of Takoradi is renowned for its excellent security network. It has well skilled operations staff, drilled and dedicated security personnel to ensure the safety and security of all types of cargo. 

The security network has further been improved with the installation of a closed – circuit television network in the Port. With this, cargoes and personnel working in the Port are safe and secured. The Port Security Department works hand in hand with the National Security, Police, The National Investigations Bureau (NIB) and the Narcotics Control Commission of Ghana. 

Also, the Port's Fire and Safety Department has a 24/7 well-organized, well trained, committed and dedicated fire – fighting service personnel with modern firefighting equipment. Tugs are fitted with firefighting equipment with fire monitors. The Department is also responsible for the operation of fire hydrants planted at wharfs 2,4, 5, 6 and within 100m radius everywhere in the Port. Other services provided include monitoring of hot works, hazardous cargo and confined space in the Port, as well as ship bunkering standby and pumping duties. The promised response time to incidents within the Port’s fence is 3 minutes. Fire service can be contacted from all boxes on transit sheds and at the main gate. Alternatively, call +233312022191 ext. 4906 VHF radio communication channel 14. 

 

Security
ISPS Compliant  (Yes / No)	Yes
Current ISPS Level	1	Level 1 = Normal, Level 2 = Heightened, Level 3 = Exceptional
Police Boats	2
Fire Engines	2

 

Useful Addresses 

Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) 

Headquarters 

P.O. Box 150,  

Tema, Ghana 

Tel. +233 (0)303-219120 

headquarters@ghanaports.gov.gh  

GPHA Port of Takoradi 

P.O. Box TD 708 

Takoradi, Ghana 

Tel. +233 (0)31 203 4131 

takoradi@ghanaports.gov.gh  

Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division 

Tel. +233(0)242435662 

       +233(0)242435663 

info@gra.gov.gh 

Webpage: https://gra.gov.gh/customs/