The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has rejected claims that congestion at the Port of Tema alone is responsible for the recent increase in cement prices.

In a statement dated September 10, 2026, the Authority said several operational and commercial factors determine the cost of importing clinker and cement through Ghana’s ports and cautioned against attributing price increases solely to port congestion.

The clarification follows a recent statement by the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, Ghana (COCMAG), which linked the increase in cement prices to congestion at the Port of Tema.

According to the GPHA, it has a responsibility to ensure that all port users are served while maintaining safe, hygienic and efficient operations.

The Authority explained that the handling of food-related cargo, including rice and wheat, must be properly separated from cement and clinker operations due to hygiene and safety requirements. This, it said, is an important consideration when allocating berths.

Dredging creates opportunities for cement companies

The GPHA said it undertook strategic dredging of the bulk cargo section of the Port of Tema in anticipation of larger vessels, increased cargo volumes and deeper vessel drafts.

It noted that cement companies were informed ahead of the project about its duration and the need to plan their vessel arrivals and berthing schedules accordingly.

The Authority said the cement industry is also a direct beneficiary of the completed dredging works.

According to the GPHA, Berth 13 now provides depths of up to 14 metres, while Berth 14 provides depths of up to 12 metres.

These deeper berths, it said, allow cement companies to receive larger vessels and potentially benefit from economies of scale, which could help lower unit logistics costs.

Cement handling cannot be mixed with food cargo

The GPHA further explained that Terminals 1 and 2 at the Port of Tema are multipurpose facilities that handle various types of cargo, including food products, steel and general cargo.

For safety, hygiene and environmental reasons, cement and clinker cannot be handled alongside food-related cargo, the Authority said.

To support cement and clinker operations, Berths 3, 13 and 14 have been designated as common-user berths.

However, because the berths are shared by several cement companies, the GPHA said they cannot be reserved exclusively for a single importer.

The Authority also pointed to the Port of Takoradi as an alternative facility for handling cement- and clinker-related cargo.

It encouraged cement manufacturers to consider the most efficient combination of ports, vessel sizes, discharge arrangements and inland transportation when planning their operations.

Truck shortages also affect port congestion

The GPHA said efficient cargo evacuation is another critical factor affecting the movement of vessels through the Port of Tema.

It explained that a vessel carrying about 40,000 tonnes of clinker may depend on a limited number of trucks to transport the cargo to factories located outside the port.

Where trucks are inadequate or delayed by traffic, the discharge process can slow significantly, resulting in vessels occupying berths for extended periods—sometimes for seven days or more.

“Such prolonged berth occupancy affects the availability of berths for other vessels and places additional pressure on port operations,” the Authority said.

GPHA moves to modernise cement handling

The Authority also disclosed that it is working to modernise the handling of cement and clinker at the Port of Tema.

Under the planned improvements, GPHA said traditional reliance on grabs and hoppers will gradually be replaced with more modern and efficient cargo-handling systems.

It urged cement companies to embrace and invest in the new technology as it is introduced.

According to the Authority, improved handling systems will increase discharge rates, reduce vessel turnaround times, optimise berth utilisation and contribute to a more competitive port operation.

GPHA: Port efficiency is a shared responsibility

The GPHA stressed that improving port efficiency requires cooperation among all stakeholders.

It said proper vessel planning, sufficient trucking capacity, efficient cargo discharge, adoption of modern handling technology and timely evacuation of cargo are all necessary to reduce delays.

The Authority therefore urged stakeholders and the public to consider the entire logistics and supply chain when assessing cement prices.

This includes vessel planning, discharge efficiency, trucking arrangements, factory locations, port selection and other commercial costs, rather than attributing cement price increases solely to congestion at the Port of Tema.

The GPHA said it remains committed to working with the cement industry and other stakeholders to improve berth utilisation, cargo evacuation and the overall efficiency of Ghana’s ports.