The Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority (GPHA) has pushed back against claims by cement manufacturers that congestion at the Port of Tema is responsible for the recent increase in cement prices.
In a press statement issued on September 10, 2026, the Authority said port congestion alone is not sufficient justification for the price increase, stressing that several operational and commercial factors determine the cost of bringing clinker and cement through the port.
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GPHA was reacting to a press release by the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, Ghana (COCMAG), which attributed the price hikes to congestion at Tema.
According to GPHA, the Port Authority has a responsibility to ensure safe and hygienic operations, particularly by separating food-related cargo such as rice and wheat from cement and clinker operations.
The handling of food-related cargo such as rice and wheat must be properly separated from cement and clinker operations. This consideration is critical in determining the allocation and use of berths,” Management stated.
The Authority disclosed that it undertook strategic dredging at the bulk cargo section of the Port in anticipation of larger vessels and increased volumes, and cement companies were informed in advance to plan their vessel arrivals.
The cement industry is also a direct beneficiary of the recently completed dredging works. Berth 13 now provides depths of up to 14 metres, while Berth 14 provides up to 12 metres, creating an opportunity for cement companies to receive larger vessels and benefit from economies of scale,” the statement said.
GPHA explained that Terminals 1 and 2 are multipurpose terminals handling food products, steel and general cargo, and for hygiene and safety reasons, cement and clinker cannot be mingled with food cargo. To facilitate cement operations, Berths 3, 13 and 14 have been designated as common-user berths for such cargo and cannot be dedicated to one importer.
The Authority also pointed to cargo evacuation challenges as a major cause of delays.
A vessel carrying approximately 40,000 tonnes of clinker may rely on a limited number of trucks to transport the cargo to factories located outside the port. Where trucks are inadequate or delayed by traffic, discharge operations are slowed, resulting in vessels occupying berths for extended periods – sometimes seven to days,” GPHA noted.
“Such prolonged berth occupancy affects the availability of berths for other vessels and places additional pressure on port operations.”
On the way forward, GPHA said it is modernising cement and clinker handling at Tema, moving away from the traditional reliance on grabs and hoppers.
We therefore entreat all cement companies to embrace and invest in the new handling technology as it is introduced,” the Authority appealed.
GPHA stressed that port efficiency is a shared responsibility and urged stakeholders to look at the full logistics chain.
GPHA therefore stresses that port efficiency is a shared responsibility, requiring proper vessel planning, adequate trucking capacity, efficient discharge, adoption of modern handling technology and timely evacuation of cargo.”
“The Authority accordingly encourages stakeholders and the public to consider the entire logistics and supply chain, including vessel planning, discharge efficiency, trucking, factory location, port choice and other commercial cost factors, rather than attributing cement price increases solely to port congestion.”
The Authority added that cement and clinker are also handled at the Port of Takoradi, and manufacturers should consider the most efficient combination of ports, vessel sizes and inland transportation.
GPHA reaffirmed its commitment to working with the cement industry to improve berth utilisation and overall efficiency of Ghana’s ports.
