The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), in partnership with China’s Ningxia Tianyuan Manganese Industry Group, has completed a 10-day pilotage simulation training programme in Shanghai aimed at preparing Ghanaian marine pilots to handle very large bulk carriers.

The intensive course, hosted at the China Maritime Safety Administration training facilities and concluded at the New Alliance Marine Simulation Centre, focused on ship-handling techniques for Capesize vessels measuring about 340 metres in length with drafts of up to 16 metres.

Captain Emmanuel Insaido, Deputy Harbour Master at Takoradi and team lead for the Ghanaian pilots, described the experience as both rewarding and transformative.

“Coming to China to have this experience gives us the opportunity to look at our operations from another perspective, and this is going a long way to impact what we do,” Captain Insaido said.

He also expressed gratitude to their Chinese hosts, adding, “I want to take the opportunity to thank the government and the people of the Republic of China for this good experience that they have given us.”

Participating pilots worked in high-fidelity bridge simulators to practise berthing, undocking, manoeuvring in confined waters, tug coordination, and emergency response scenarios.

The Ghanaian delegation that took part in the programme included:

• Capt. Emmanuel Insaido, Deputy Harbour Master, Takoradi (Team Lead)
• William Stanley, Senior Pilot
• Capt. Charles Zar, Pilot
• Justice Akwo, Pilot
• Daniel Nii Armah Attoh, Pilot
• Prince Gyebi, Pilot
• Samuel Yenzu, Pilot
• Kern Mensah, Pilot
• Ernest Evans Eshun, Tug Master
• Isaac Obeng, Tug Master

Capesize bulk carriers are among the largest merchant vessels calling at West African ports and demand exceptional precision from pilots and port teams.

By exposing Ghanaian pilots to realistic and repeatable scenarios, the training is designed to strengthen port safety, enhance operational efficiency, and reduce the risks associated with handling ultra-large vessels.

The collaboration with Ningxia Tianyuan reflects growing technical cooperation between Ghana’s maritime authorities and international partners.

Enhanced simulation training is expected to boost Ghana’s capacity to receive larger cargo ships, increase throughput at major terminals, and contribute to safer and more reliable maritime trade.

GPHA officials noted that the programme forms part of broader efforts to upgrade pilot training and operational standards. Further simulation exercises and knowledge exchanges are planned as the authority continues to build local capacity for increasingly complex port operations.