Ghana's Tema Port has completed a major expansion project, positioning itself as a stronger competitor to the ports of Abidjan in Côte d'Ivoire and Lomé in Togo. The expansion, which includes a new container terminal, increases Tema's annual handling capacity to 3.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), up from 1 million TEUs previously.
The project, financed partly by a $1.5 billion loan from China Exim Bank, was carried out by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). It features a 1.4-kilometer quay and a depth of 16 meters, allowing it to accommodate larger vessels. The new terminal began operations in 2020, and the full expansion was completed by 2023.
This development intensifies competition among West African ports for transshipment traffic. Abidjan is also undergoing expansion to increase its capacity to 2.5 million TEUs, while Lomé's port, operated by Bolloré Africa Logistics, has already reached 2.5 million TEUs. Tema's new capacity gives it an edge in attracting major shipping lines.
According to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, the expansion aims to make Tema a leading hub in the Gulf of Guinea, reducing transit times for landlocked countries like Burkina Faso and Mali. The port's strategic location and improved infrastructure are expected to boost Ghana's economy and regional trade.
