Ghana is set to strengthen its position in the Gulf of Guinea’s maritime services industry as construction begins on a US$137 million ship repair and maintenance facility at the Port of Takoradi on Tuesday, November 10.
The project, known as Project Shiprite, is expected to provide modern dry-docking and commercial vessel repair services, reducing the need for ships operating in the region to travel long distances to access specialised shipyards elsewhere in Africa.
The facility is being developed by Prime Meridian Docks Ghana Limited (PMD) under a 25-year concession agreement with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA). It is projected to create up to 430 direct jobs when fully 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 also bring together the Minister of Transport, GPHA officials, investors, financiers and other project partners.
Takoradi to Become a Regional Maritime Services Hub
Project Shiprite is expected to serve vessels operating along the West African coast and beyond, while creating opportunities for Ghanaian technicians, contractors, suppliers and businesses connected to the maritime industry.
Currently, vessels requiring specialised repair and dry-docking services may have to travel to shipyards in the northern or southern parts of the African continent.
The new facility is expected to bring these services closer to vessels’ operating routes, potentially reducing travel time, fuel consumption and associated emissions.
The Director-General of the GPHA, Major General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, said the investment aligns 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 regional destination for specialised maritime services.
PMD Targets Local Expertise and Business Opportunities
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 ship repair facility, develop local technical expertise and ensure that Ghanaian businesses benefited from the investment.
The project is expected to strengthen Ghana’s capacity to provide specialised services to the regional shipping industry while supporting the growth of local businesses.
UK-Ghana Growth Partnership Supports 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 Ghana and the United Kingdom 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.
PIDG’s Chief Investment and Project Development Officer, Gilles Vaes, said the facility would generate economic benefits for Ghana and neighbouring countries while helping to reduce vessel travel time and emissions.
US$300,000 Grant to Boost Women’s Participation
Beyond the construction of the facility, Project Shiprite has secured a US$300,000 grant from PIDG’s Technical Assistance facility for a 24-month Gender Impact Enhancement Programme.
The programme is designed to increase women’s participation in the technical workforce through skills training, professional certification, practical industry experience and workplace integration measures.
It is expected to create opportunities for women in technical occupations where they have traditionally been underrepresented.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to ensure that the project’s economic benefits extend beyond infrastructure development to include workforce participation and skills development.
Ghanaian-Led Investment Structure
Project Shiprite is being financed through a combination of Ghanaian institutional capital, development finance and international investment.
Its Ghanaian-led structure, supported by local and foreign investors, is expected to facilitate the delivery of specialised maritime infrastructure while strengthening the country’s capacity to serve the regional shipping industry.
When completed, the facility is expected to add a new dimension to the operations of Takoradi Port, positioning it not only as a gateway for cargo but also as a centre for ship repair, maintenance and related maritime services.
The development is expected to enhance Ghana’s competitiveness in the Gulf of Guinea’s maritime services market and establish Takoradi as an important destination for vessel maintenance along the West African coast.
