Dredging Takoradi Port has started as part of the expansion project authorities are embarking on, and it is expected to be completed by the middle of March this year.

Dredger “Nicolo Machiavelle” arrived at the Takoradi Port on January 2, 2015 and started dredging on January 7, 2015.

The few days delay was due to unsettled sea conditions and poor visibility, Captain James Owusu-Koranteng, Acting Director of the Takoradi Port, said.

Already, some 80,000 cubic metres of gravel, soil, sand and ore have been drilled, he told the media.
“We expect to dredge a total quantity of 770,000 cubic metres. The first dredging will be up to 14 metres minus. We believe by the time we are done with the first completion it will be increased to 16 metres minus.”

On breakwater, he announced that 97% of work has been completed, with the remaining work involving 10,000 tonnes of special rocks that measure between three to six tonnes and will be used when the crown-wall of the breakwater has been completed.

“Crown-wall means, the topmost part where we have to pour concrete, and before we pour the concrete we have to arrange certain blocks and then pour concrete in the middle as well as support the blocks with these rocks.”

Captain Owusu-Koranteng expressed hope that the crown-wall completion and filling will also be finished alongside the dredging.

Expansion of the Takoradi Port became necessary as a result of the increasing offshore activities related to oil and gas production.

The expansion of port facilities is to accommodate bigger vessels and facilitate trade.