Takoradi Port to get US$137m ship repair facility

Ghana is taking steps to capture a larger share of the Gulf of Guinea's maritime services market, with a US$137 million ship repair and maintenance facility scheduled to enter the construction phase at the Port of Takoradi on Tuesday, November 10.

The project, known as Project Shiprite, is expected to give the country modern dry-docking and commercial vessel repair capacity, reducing the need for ships operating in the region to travel long distances to access specialised shipyards elsewhere in Africa.

The development, being undertaken by Prime Meridian Docks Ghana Limited (PMD) under a 25-year concession from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), is projected to create up to 430 direct jobs when operational.

President John Dramani Mahama is expected to attend the ceremony in Takoradi to mark the project's financial close and the commencement of construction. The event will bring together the Minister of Transport, GPHA officials, investors, financiers and other project partners.

The facility is expected to serve vessels operating along the West African coast and beyond, while creating opportunities for Ghanaian technicians, contractors, suppliers and other businesses linked to the maritime industry.

Currently, vessels requiring reliable ship repair and dry-docking services may have to travel to shipyards in the northern or southern parts of the continent. The new facility is intended to bring those services closer to their operating routes, potentially reducing diversion time, fuel consumption and associated emissions.

The Director-General of the GPHA, Major General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, said the investment was consistent with the authority's objective of opening up Ghana's maritime market to ship repair and maintenance businesses.

He expressed confidence that the project would strengthen Takoradi's position as a destination for specialised maritime services in the region.

The Chief Executive Officer of PMD Ghana Limited, Stanley Ahorlu, said the achievement of financial close followed years of work by the company and its partners.

He said the immediate priority was to deliver a dependable repair facility, develop local technical expertise and ensure that Ghanaian businesses benefited from the investment.

The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Dr Christian Rogg, described Project Shiprite as a practical demonstration of the investment ambitions underpinning the UK-Ghana Growth Partnership.

“When we launched the Growth Partnership in London, we set out a shared ambition to unlock investment and grow together. Shiprite is a powerful expression of that ambition and of the confidence we share in Ghana’s economic future,” he said.

The project was highlighted as a flagship maritime investment when the two countries signed the Growth Partnership in June 2026.

The Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), through its InfraCo arm, is among the international partners supporting the development. Its Chief Investment and Project Development Officer, Gilles Vaes, said the facility would generate economic benefits for Ghana and neighbouring countries while helping to reduce emissions and travel time for vessels seeking repair services.

Beyond the construction of the facility, the project has also secured a US$300,000 grant from PIDG's Technical Assistance facility for a 24-month Gender Impact Enhancement Programme.

The programme is intended to increase women's participation in the technical workforce through skills training, professional certification, practical industry experience and workplace integration measures.

The initiative is expected to open up opportunities for women in technical occupations traditionally underrepresented in the maritime industry.

Project Shiprite is being financed through a combination of Ghanaian institutional capital, development finance and international investment. Its Ghanaian-led structure, backed by local and foreign investors, is expected to support the delivery of specialised maritime infrastructure and strengthen the country's capacity to provide services to the regional shipping industry.

When completed, the facility is expected to add a new dimension to Takoradi Port's operations, positioning it not only as a gateway for cargo but also as a centre for ship repair, maintenance and related maritime services.