Takoradi Port Expansion: New Shipyard, Berth 19, Jobs and Western Railway Link

Ghana has begun construction on two major projects at the Port of Takoradi worth more than US$235 million combined, including a new commercial ship-repair facility and a major bulk-cargo berth.

The first project, known as Project Shiprite, is a US$137 million integrated ship-repair and maintenance facility being developed by Prime Meridian Docks Ghana Limited. The second is Berth 19, a US$98.41 million, 300-metre berth designed to increase the port’s capacity to handle bulk cargo and larger vessels.

Project Shiprite is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete, while Berth 19 has an estimated construction period of 26 months. Shiprite is expected to create about 430 direct jobs, with 30% of those positions targeted for women.

The projects are also linked to a much larger transport strategy. Government says the Western Railway Line will be prioritized, with the first phase extending toward Nyinahin to support bauxite mining and the second eventually continuing north toward Hamile. That could connect mining districts, inland trade routes and Takoradi Port more directly.

What Is Being Built at Takoradi Port?

Two large projects officially entered the construction phase at Takoradi Port in November 2026. Together, they are intended to expand Ghana’s maritime service capacity and improve the movement of bulk cargo through the Western Region.

The projects are:

The groundbreaking was held on November 10, 2026. The projects are part of a broader strategy to strengthen Takoradi as a commercial, mineral-export and offshore-services port.

What Is Project Shiprite?

Project Shiprite is a new integrated ship-repair and maintenance facility being developed by Prime Meridian Docks Ghana Limited within Takoradi Port.

The US$137 million project is being developed under a 25-year concession with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority. It is designed to serve cargo vessels, offshore support vessels, oil and gas operators and other maritime customers operating along the Gulf of Guinea.

The facility is expected to provide dry-docking, repair, maintenance and related marine engineering services. Rather than vessels traveling to Europe or southern Africa for major repairs, some of that work could eventually be completed in Ghana.

Why Ghana Wants a Major Ship-Repair Facility

West Africa handles large volumes of commercial shipping, offshore petroleum activity and marine logistics, but major ship-repair capacity remains limited compared with Europe and some parts of southern Africa.

President Mahama said vessels operating along the Gulf of Guinea frequently have to travel long distances for substantial maintenance and repair. Ghanaian naval vessels have also sometimes been sent overseas for major work.

A functioning commercial repair hub in Takoradi could therefore serve Ghanaian vessels as well as customers from Nigeria and other countries along the West African coast.

The business model depends on attracting enough regional demand to make the facility competitive with established shipyards elsewhere.

What Is a Dry Dock?

A dry dock allows a vessel to be removed from the water or placed in a controlled dock so workers can access parts of the ship that are normally submerged.

This makes it possible to inspect, clean, repair or replace hull components, propellers, rudders and other underwater systems. Dry docks can also be used for repainting, corrosion treatment and major maintenance.

Takoradi already has smaller ship-repair facilities, but Project Shiprite is intended to provide much larger commercial-scale capacity for vessels operating in regional shipping and offshore industries.

What Is Berth 19?

Berth 19 is a new 300-metre-long bulk cargo berth being built by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.

The facility is designed for vessels with capacity up to approximately 75,000 deadweight tonnes. Deadweight tonnage refers to the total weight a ship can safely carry, including cargo, fuel, supplies, crew and other loads.

The project is expected to strengthen Takoradi’s ability to handle bulk commodities such as mineral exports and industrial materials.

Takoradi Port Can Now Receive Much Larger Ships

One of the major changes at Takoradi over the past several years has been port dredging and expansion. The port now has areas with drafts reaching approximately 16 metres, allowing it to accommodate substantially larger vessels than were possible under earlier configurations.

President Mahama said the port previously had much shallower access but can now handle some of the largest vessels calling at West African ports.

Berth 19 is intended to take advantage of that deeper draft by adding more capacity for large bulk carriers.

How Much Does the Takoradi Port Expansion Cost?

The two November 2026 projects have a combined announced value of approximately US$235.41 million.

Project Shiprite accounts for US$137 million, while Berth 19 is budgeted at US$98.41 million. The two projects use different financing structures.

Berth 19 is being financed directly from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority’s own resources. Project Shiprite is a concession-based project backed by Ghanaian and international investors, including development-finance participation connected to the UK-Ghana Growth Partnership.

When Will the New Takoradi Port Facilities Be Completed?

Project Shiprite is expected to take approximately 18 months to construct. If work proceeds close to schedule from November 2026, that would place completion roughly around the first half of 2028.

Berth 19 has an estimated construction period of approximately 26 months. That would put expected completion around early 2029 if there are no significant delays.

These are project timelines, not guaranteed opening dates. Large marine infrastructure projects can be affected by engineering conditions, procurement, financing, equipment deliveries and construction delays.

How Many Jobs Will Project Shiprite Create?

Project Shiprite is expected to support approximately 430 direct jobs once the facility is developed. These positions could include marine engineering, welding, electrical work, mechanical maintenance, operations, safety, administration and other technical roles.

The project could also create indirect opportunities for Ghanaian suppliers, logistics companies, equipment providers, accommodation businesses, transport operators and other firms serving the maritime industry.

The 430 figure should be treated as a project employment projection rather than 430 vacancies currently available for application.

Why 30% of Shiprite Jobs Are Targeted for Women

Government says approximately 30% of Project Shiprite jobs are intended for women. This is notable because ship repair, marine engineering and heavy industrial trades have traditionally had low female participation.

The Private Infrastructure Development Group has also approved approximately US$300,000 for a two-year programme focused on training, certification and increasing women’s participation in technical roles linked to the project.

The programme is expected to support professional certification, technical skills development and practical industry experience.

What Opportunities Could There Be for Ghanaian Businesses?

A large ship-repair facility requires more than engineers working directly on vessels. It also relies on a network of suppliers and service providers.

Potential opportunities could include:

• Marine engineering.
• Welding and fabrication.
• Electrical services.
• Mechanical maintenance.
• Industrial coatings and painting.
• Safety equipment.
• Spare parts.
• Transport and logistics.
• Catering.
• Waste management.
• Security.
• Accommodation.
• Training and certification.
• Professional services.

The actual procurement opportunities will depend on the project’s contracting strategy, qualification requirements and local-content policies.

Why Takoradi Port Matters to Ghana’s Trade

Takoradi was Ghana’s first commercial deep-sea port and remains one of the country’s most important gateways for mineral exports and bulk cargo.

According to GPHA, Takoradi handled approximately 11.4 million metric tonnes of seaborne traffic in 2025. It accounted for roughly 78% of Ghana’s national seaborne exports that year.

Major exports moving through the port include manganese, bauxite and cocoa. Imports include petroleum products, clinker, wheat, gypsum, limestone and other industrial commodities.

The port is also strategically located near offshore oil and gas operations, including the Jubilee and TEN fields.

How Berth 19 Could Expand Ghana’s Mineral Export Capacity

Berth 19 is especially important because Takoradi handles substantial volumes of mineral exports. Ghana produces manganese, bauxite and other minerals in regions connected economically to the Western Corridor.

A longer berth capable of handling larger bulk vessels can reduce congestion, increase cargo throughput and potentially reduce the cost of moving large quantities of material through the port.

That becomes even more significant if Ghana expands bauxite production at Nyinahin and other mining areas.

How the Western Railway Connects Takoradi Port to Nyinahin Bauxite

The port expansion is closely connected to Ghana’s plan to rehabilitate and extend the Western Railway Line.

President Mahama said the railway will be developed in two phases. Phase 1 is expected to extend the line toward Nyinahin, where Ghana is pursuing large-scale bauxite development.

The railway could move bulk minerals from inland mining areas to Takoradi more efficiently than relying entirely on heavy trucks.

Rail transport is particularly useful for high-volume commodities such as bauxite and manganese because a single train can move far more material than an individual truck.

Why Nyinahin Matters to the Port Expansion

Nyinahin has become more strategically important following the agreement involving GIADEC and Rusal to develop a major bauxite mine and alumina refinery.

The proposed mining operation could eventually produce millions of tonnes of bauxite each year. Moving that volume efficiently requires substantial transport infrastructure.

The government’s current plan is to use the first phase of the Western Railway to connect the mineral-producing area more effectively with Takoradi Port and other industrial infrastructure.

That means the railway, port expansion and bauxite-development strategy should be viewed as interconnected infrastructure rather than separate projects.

Could Takoradi Port Become a Trade Gateway for Burkina Faso?

The government’s longer-term Western Railway vision extends beyond Nyinahin. Phase 2 is intended to continue north through the Western Corridor toward Hamile near Ghana’s border with Burkina Faso.

If completed, that could create another route allowing goods moving to and from landlocked Burkina Faso to access Ghana’s ports.

Burkina Faso currently relies on transport corridors through neighbouring coastal countries for maritime trade. Improved rail and port infrastructure could allow Ghana to compete for a larger share of that transit traffic.

This remains a long-term infrastructure objective rather than an operating rail corridor today.

Could Takoradi Become a West African Maritime Services Hub?

That is one of the stated goals behind Project Shiprite. Ghana’s location along the Gulf of Guinea places Takoradi close to major commercial shipping routes and offshore petroleum activity.

If vessels can receive reliable maintenance in Ghana instead of sailing to Europe or southern Africa, Takoradi could attract repair work from across the region.

The opportunity extends beyond ship repair. Marine engineering, offshore support, fabrication, logistics, bunkering and other maritime services could benefit from increased vessel traffic.

Success will depend on whether the facility can offer competitive pricing, reliable turnaround times, skilled workers and internationally recognized technical standards.

Takoradi’s Connection to Ghana’s Offshore Oil and Gas Industry

Takoradi already serves as a major logistics base for Ghana’s offshore petroleum industry. The Jubilee and TEN oil and gas fields are located offshore from the Western Region, and supply vessels routinely use port infrastructure to support operations.

The new Nya Gyidie-1X hydrocarbon discovery in the Deepwater Cape Three Points Block could further increase long-term demand for offshore services if that discovery eventually proves commercially viable.

A local ship-repair facility could serve offshore supply vessels and other marine equipment operating in Ghana’s petroleum sector without requiring them to leave the region for major maintenance.

Could Ship Repair in Ghana Reduce Fuel Use and Emissions?

Project developers argue that a regional ship-repair facility could reduce unnecessary vessel travel. A ship operating in the Gulf of Guinea that currently has to travel thousands of kilometres for major maintenance consumes fuel simply reaching the repair facility.

Providing repair services closer to normal operating routes could reduce those diversions and therefore reduce some associated fuel use and emissions.

The actual environmental impact will depend on how many vessels use Shiprite, how far they would otherwise have traveled and how the facility itself manages industrial waste, coatings, oils and other materials associated with ship maintenance.

Does Takoradi Already Have Ship-Repair Facilities?

Yes. GPHA says Takoradi already has a shipyard equipped with a dry dock and slipway capable of handling smaller vessels and marine craft.

The existing facility can accommodate vessels up to approximately 45 metres in length, according to GPHA. Project Shiprite is intended to expand Ghana’s capabilities beyond that scale and serve a wider commercial market.

This means the November 2026 project is not Ghana’s first ship-repair activity. It is a major expansion into larger and more commercially significant repair operations.

What Could Delay the Takoradi Port Projects?

Marine infrastructure projects can face several forms of delay, including construction conditions, equipment procurement, financing, engineering changes and regulatory approvals.

Shiprite also depends on building a commercially viable customer base after construction is complete. A technically successful facility still needs enough ships using its services to generate sustainable revenue.

Berth 19’s success will similarly depend on cargo volumes, railway development, mining output and the competitiveness of Takoradi relative to other West African ports.

What the Takoradi Port Announcement Does Not Mean Yet

The groundbreaking marks a real construction milestone, but several outcomes remain in the future.

It does not yet mean:

• Project Shiprite is already operational.
• Berth 19 is already handling vessels.
• All 430 jobs are currently available.
• The Western Railway has reached Nyinahin.
• The rail connection to Hamile has been built.
• Rusal bauxite is already moving by rail to Takoradi.
• Burkina Faso is already routing cargo through the proposed rail corridor.
• Takoradi has already become the Gulf of Guinea’s dominant repair hub.

Those developments depend on construction progress, railway financing, commercial demand and future investment decisions.

What Happens Next?

Construction has now formally started, making delivery against the announced 18-month and 26-month timelines the immediate issue to watch.

Key milestones include:

• Shiprite construction progress.
• Berth 19 piling and marine works.
• Installation of dry-docking equipment.
• Recruitment and technical training.
• Women’s maritime training programme.
• Completion of Project Shiprite.
• Completion of Berth 19.
• Western Railway Phase 1 financing.
• Rail extension toward Nyinahin.
• Growth in bauxite and manganese cargo.
• Regional ship-repair contracts.
• Phase 2 railway planning toward Hamile.

Takoradi Port Expansion: Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Takoradi Port expansion worth?

The two projects announced in November 2026 have a combined value of approximately US$235.41 million.

What is Project Shiprite?

Project Shiprite is a US$137 million commercial ship-repair and maintenance facility being developed by Prime Meridian Docks Ghana Limited under a 25-year concession.

What is Berth 19?

Berth 19 is a new 300-metre bulk-cargo berth capable of accommodating vessels with capacity of up to approximately 75,000 deadweight tonnes.

How many jobs will Shiprite create?

The project is expected to support approximately 430 direct jobs, with 30% targeted for women.

When will Shiprite be completed?

The announced construction period is approximately 18 months from the November 2026 start.

When will Berth 19 be completed?

The project has an estimated construction period of approximately 26 months.

How does the Western Railway connect to Takoradi Port?

Government plans to extend the Western Railway first toward Nyinahin to support bauxite transport, with a longer-term second phase toward Hamile near the Burkina Faso border.

Bottom Line

Ghana has begun construction on more than US$235 million in new infrastructure at Takoradi Port. Project Shiprite will add large-scale commercial ship-repair capacity, while Berth 19 will expand the port’s ability to handle bulk cargo and larger vessels.

Shiprite is expected to cost US$137 million and take approximately 18 months to build. It is projected to create about 430 direct jobs, with 30% of positions targeted for women.

Berth 19 will cost approximately US$98.41 million and take around 26 months to complete. The new 300-metre berth is designed for vessels with capacity up to approximately 75,000 deadweight tonnes and should strengthen Takoradi’s mineral and bulk-cargo operations.

The projects are also connected to Ghana’s wider infrastructure strategy. Government plans to prioritize the Western Railway, with Phase 1 extending toward Nyinahin to support bauxite mining and a longer-term Phase 2 potentially continuing toward Hamile and the Burkina Faso border.

The result could eventually be a more integrated Western Corridor in which mines, railways, ports and maritime-service businesses work together. The next test is execution: completing the port projects on schedule, financing the railway and attracting enough cargo and ship-repair business to make the infrastructure commercially sustainable.

Sources

• Ghana News Agency: Mahama breaks ground for two major Takoradi Port projects, November 11, 2026
• Graphic Online: US$235 million Shiprite and Berth 19 projects, November 11, 2026
• Graphic Online: Project Shiprite construction and financing details, November 9, 2026
• Information Services Department: Western Railway Line, Nyinahin and Hamile plan, November 11, 2026
• Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority: Port of Takoradi facts and cargo statistics