Four companies have been shortlisted to take part in the next stage of the concession award process for the proposed Takoradi Dry Bulk Terminal, according to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).
The shortlisted firm are the South African shipping and freight company Grindrod Limited, the Morocco-based port operator Marsa Maroc, Belgium’s terminal operator Sea-Invest Corporation, and freight transporter Transnet SOC Limited, South Africa.
27 entities, made up of individual firms and various joint ventures, showed interest in the concession. However, only nine entities responded to the request for expression of interest by the closing period of June 30, 2016.
In May 2016, GPHA invited parties to submit their expression of interest for the concession of the dry bulk terminal, set at a period of 20 years, or more, depending on the level of proposed investment.
The concession provides the right and obligation to complete the development, operate and transfer back the dry bulk terminal.
GPHA earlier said that the objectives of the concession are to introduce an independent terminal operator into the port to handle bulk ore cargo and to generate the necessary incentives for the development of ore mines, to increase the bulk ore cargo throughput capacity and the operational efficiency of the port, and to increase employment opportunities for Ghanaians.
Upon the completion of the Takoradi Port Expansion Program, which was launched in 2014, the new terminal is expected to handle capesize vessels, as well as export of manganese and bauxite, and import of clinker among others.
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