A US$137 million ship repair and maintenance facility is set to be developed at the Port of Takoradi as Ghana seeks to attract a larger share of the Gulf of Guinea’s maritime services market.
President John Dramani Mahama is expected to attend the commencement ceremony on Tuesday, November 10, marking the financial close and start of construction of the project, known as Project Shiprite.
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).
When completed, it will provide dry-docking and specialised vessel repair services to ships operating along the West African coast and other parts of the region.
The investment is expected to reduce the need for vessels to travel to distant shipyards elsewhere in Africa for maintenance, potentially cutting operational costs, travel time and emissions.
Director-General of GPHA, Major General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, said the project aligned with the authority’s efforts to expand Ghana’s maritime services industry and attract specialised businesses to the country’s ports.
Chief Executive Officer of PMD Ghana Limited, Stanley Ahorlu, said the company would prioritise the delivery of a reliable facility, the development of local technical expertise and opportunities for Ghanaian businesses.
The project is expected to create up to 430 direct jobs when operational.
British High Commissioner to Ghana, Dr Christian Rogg, described the investment as an example of the UK-Ghana Growth Partnership, which was signed in June 2026 to promote investment and economic cooperation.
The Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), through its InfraCo arm, is among the international partners supporting the project.
PIDG has also provided a US$300,000 grant through its Technical Assistance facility for a 24-month Gender Impact Enhancement Programme aimed at increasing women’s participation in the maritime technical workforce.
The programme will support skills training, professional certification, practical industry experience and workplace integration for women.
The project is being financed through a combination of Ghanaian institutional capital, development finance and international investment.
Upon completion, the facility is expected to position Takoradi as a regional centre for ship repair and maintenance, complementing its existing role as a major cargo-handling port.
