(BOLLORE) - On Tuesday, 18 January 2022, Meridian Port Services (MPS) signed a purchase agreement with Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company Limited (ZPMC) for the acquisition of 15 new gantry cranes, including 3 STS cranes and 12 eRTG cranes. This USD 53.31 million investment will enhance the capacity at Terminal 3 in the Port of Tema and also reflects MPS' commitment to continuously improve its services to the benefit of the Port Community and Ghana.

“MPS’ Terminal 3 is currently equipped with 11 ST cranes, 2 mobile harbour cranes and 29 eRTG yard cranes. The increase in volume has led us to increase our fleet by an additional 15 gantries. We will be in a position to handle the world's largest container vessels and the potential trade growth, thanks to the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA ),” explains Mr Samara, CEO of MPS.

Following the virtual signing ceremony with Mr Mohamed Samara, CEO of MPS and Mr Liu Cheng Yun, President of ZMPC, Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, Ghana's Minister of Transport, and the executives of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) expressed their enthusiasm for the new acquisition. The Minister focused particularly on the positive socio-economic impact the agreement represents and encouraged MPS to continue its work in providing the Port of Tema with new infrastructure and state- of-the-art equipment.

The Managing Director of GPHA, Mr Michael Luguje, on his part, expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Port of Tema's Expansion Project and congratulated MPS for completing the construction of Terminal 3 and receiving the associated equipment ahead of schedule: "The investment in the expansion of the Port of Tema has so far yielded positive results with MPS' quality of service being among the best in the world. We will continue to work together to maintain this positive outcome and to monitor the development of the project in accordance with the master plan”.

About MPS

Meridian Port Services Limited (MPS) is a joint venture composed of Bolloré Transport & Logistics, APM Terminals and the State of Ghana via the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA). It has two main areas of expertise: container handling and storage. MPS currently employs 700 employees and generates almost 1,000 indirect jobs through its activities. Each year, MPS rolls out solidarity initiatives in partnership with NGOs to support local populations. Actively committed to the environment, MPS also obtained the Green Terminal label (2 stars) in 2021, following an audit carried out by Bureau Veritas. www.mps-gh.com