The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has rejected claims by cement manufacturers that congestion at the Tema Port is solely responsible for recent increases in cement prices.
According to the Authority, port congestion alone is not sufficient justification for the price increases, as several operational and commercial factors influence the cost of importing clinker and cement.
In a statement released on Thursday, September 10, 2026, GPHA responded to claims by the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, Ghana (COCMAG), which attributed the recent price hikes to congestion at the Tema Port.
“The Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority (GPHA) wishes to clarify that port congestion alone is not sufficient justification for an increase in cement prices, as several operational and commercial factors determine the cost of bringing clinker and cement through the Port of Tema,” the Authority stated.
It said one of the major challenges affecting the smooth movement of clinker is inadequate trucking capacity among cement companies.
The Authority explained that a vessel carrying about 40,000 tonnes of clinker may depend on a limited number of trucks to transport the cargo from the port to factories located outside the port area.
It said delays in securing trucks, coupled with traffic congestion, can slow down the discharge of cargo and result in vessels occupying berths for several days, sometimes for up to seven days.
GPHA also rejected suggestions that its berth allocation system disadvantages cement importers.
It explained that food cargo such as rice and wheat must be handled separately from cement and clinker due to hygiene and safety requirements.
The Authority said Berths 3, 13 and 14 at the Tema Port are shared among several cement companies and are not reserved for any particular importer.
GPHA further pointed to recent dredging works at the port, noting that Berth 13 now has depths of up to 14 metres, while Berth 14 has depths of up to 12 metres.
According to the Authority, the improved depths provide cement companies with the opportunity to receive larger vessels and benefit from lower costs through economies of scale.
It also noted that the Port of Takoradi remains available as an alternative for handling cement and clinker cargo.
GPHA said it is also modernising cargo-handling operations at the Tema Port by moving away from the traditional use of grabs and hoppers. It urged cement manufacturers to invest in the new systems when they are introduced.
The development follows a recent GH¢12-per-bag increase in cement prices announced by major cement manufacturers in Ghana.
COCMAG attributed the increase to additional costs incurred by manufacturers due to congestion at the Tema Port, particularly delays in clearing imported clinker.