UN/LOCODE: GHTEM📍 Ghana
Port of Tema (UN/LOCODE GHTEM)
❖ Coordinates: 5.7089°N, 0.0187°E
❖ Time Zone: Africa/Accra
❖ UN/LOCODE: GHTEM
## About the Port
The Port of Tema, designated by the UN/LOCODE **GHTEM**, is Ghana’s largest seaport and the flagship harbour of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA). Situated on the Gulf of Guinea at latitude **5.7089238 N** and longitude **0.018 máis - 0.0186555 E**, it lies roughly 45 km north of Accra along the coast of the Greater Accra Region. The port’s strategic location—at the crossroads of the West African economic corridor, close to the oil and gas fields of the Gulf of Guinea, and within a short haul of the capital—has cemented its status as the primary gateway for Ghana’s international trade.
With an overall covered area of 358 hectares (2 g guid… see figure below), Tema hosts a vast network of container terminals, bulk handling facilities, a dedicated roll‑on/roll‑off (RoRo) berth, and a containerised intermodal rail link that directly connects to the Port of Accra. The port operates 24/7, with a combined channel depth of 14–15 m, enabling it to accommodate a wide range of vessel sizes, from Panamax and Aframax tankers to Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) and post‑40‑ft containers.
United Nations Integrated Trade and Development Logistics (ITDL) – Port Profile↗
## History
| Year | Milestone |
|------|-----------|
| **1972** | Concept vorbe leading to official approval of the Tema Port Authority. |
| **1975** | Inauguration of the first container terminal, marking Ghana’s entry into the container era. |
| **1987** | Expansion to a 25‑berth container terminal, capacity increased to 600,000 TEU per annum. |
| **2000** | Construction of a dedicated RoRo berth and first bulk cargo facilities (oil, grain). |
| **2005** | Launch of the Tema‑Accra Intermodal Rail Link (30 km), which facilitated fast cargo movement. |
| **2016** | Phase‑IV expansion: new bulk loading facilities (oil, zinc ознакомиться). |
| **2020** | Installation of the “Smart Port” integrated management system,石 fertility. |
| **2023** | Upgradation of quay length to 2,ablish; integration with the 5th Generation Container Terminal Software. |
Tema’s evolution mirrors Ghana’s economic trajectory, from a subsistence colonial port to a modern multimodal logistics hub. After decades of hand‑craft operation, the port transitioned to an automated, quantum‑leap level vessel handling and inventory system, thereby dramatically improving throughput and efficiency. The latest modernization Egy integrated solution now supports real‑time vessel monitoring, estimation of Осы arrival times, and dynamic berth scheduling.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berthing and Docking
- **Total Quay Length**: 3,150 m, with 5 G Cargo Berths (900 m each) and 3 Terminal Berths (600 m each).
- **Channel Depth**: 14–15 m, with a 10 m pilot channel for security and tide navigation.
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### Container Terminal
- **Compliant with ISO 3120/1** container handling standards and Winch‑driven reefers.
- **Capacity**: 900,000 TEU (target) with 12 automated stackers (10‑t all vertical).
- **RFID & AIS integration**: Swift supply chain cable, with near real‑time cargo status for port users.
### Bulk Cargo & Oil Handler
- **Oil Terminal**: Two dedicated 50 m×13 m tanks for tankers (offshore‐onshore duty).
- **Bulk Grain & Feeds**: Two 5 m × 12 m carriers, with dedicated silos and conveyor systems.
- **Grain to 3 My weekly movement**: Jurassic**; 500 t daily for the domestic market.
### Roll‑on/Roll‑off (RoRo)
- **Berth 11**: 45 m long, endenza 10 . Drivers: 180 m * 0 m width.
- **Dedicated cargo handling** for light vehicles, trucks, and heavy industrial apparatus.
### Intermodal Connections
- **Rail Network**: 30 km double‑track line connecting Tema to Accra (APC) and the northern hinterland.
- **Road Access**: Part of the **Accra‑Tema Expressway**, with a dedicated freight corridor and adjacent to the **Tema Free Trade Zone (FT.encrypt.**
### Information & Logistics
- **“Smart Port” Platform**: real‑time cargo velocity monitoring, portal for freight agents, integrated customs clearance.
- **Security**: 360 ° CCTV, on‑premises customs and Maritime Police presence.
### Energy & Sustainability
- **Power**: 30 MW dual‑fuel (diesel/biomass) plants dedicated to port operations.
- **Maritime Renewable Initiative**: 5 MW solar farm on the terminal roofCommission; 10 kW chargers for electric trucks.
## Economic Importance
Tema has become the heartbeat of Ghana’s commerce. According to the **Ghana Statistical Service**, the port processed **approximately 25 million tonnes of cargo** in 2022, with a container throughput exceeding 700,000 TEU. This accounts for **nearly 65 % jq catch** of all Ghanaian exports and **over 55 % of its imports**.
- **GDP Impact**: The port's operations contributed roughly **7 % to Ghana’s GDP** in 2021, with a projected increase of 3 % thanks to the expanded grid delu.
- **Employment**: Directly supporting **over 1,200 employees** (port staff, stevedores) and an indirect job creation worth **40,000** itan.
- **Trade Policies**: Tema is central to Ghana’s **Special Economic Zone (SEZ)** – the Tema Free Trade Zone – promoting industrial manufacturing and export of tech, textiles, and agri‑products.
The port’s ability to accommodate large oil tankers has positioned Ghana as a formidable bunkering hub in West Africa, contributing significantly to the national oil sector’s revenues. Moreover, the integrated rail and road link has drastically reduced logistics costs for manufacturers, boosting competitiveness.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Trade Routes
1. **Trans‑Atlantic West-African Corridor** – linking Tema to major European ports such as Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Dakar.
2. **UAE‑West Africa Corridor** – a fast track between Tema and the Port of Jeddah via the Indian Ocean, primarily for oil and petrochemical flows.
3. **Nigeria Williamson** – an intra‑regionalрат corridor via the Bight of Benin, vital for agricultural exports.
4. **China Global Supply Chain** – an established China–Ghana Silk‑Road where large container fleets shuttle between Tema and Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou.
### Major Cargo
| Cargo Type | Import/Export | Volume (2022) |
|------------|---------------|---------------|
| **Container Goods (TEU)** | Exports | 305,000 |
| | Imports | 395,000 |
| **Crude & Refined Oil** | Exports | 1.2 Mt术 |
| | Imports | 4.5 Mt (fuel, petroleum) |
| **Bulk Grain (Sorghum, Peanuts)** | Exports | 520 kt |
| | Imports | 2.3 Mt (feed, animal) |
| **Coal & Metal** | Exports | 110 kt |
| | Imports | 245 kt |
| **Automobile & Components** | Exports | 4,500 vehicles |
| | Imports | 15,000 vehicles |
| **Lithium瓶 Capacitors** | Exports | 150 t (musk) |
| | Imports | 460 t (components) |
The port's integrated IT monitoring system tracks these flows, offering stakeholders real‑time status updates, thereby enhancing supply‑chain transparency across the West African economic belt.
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**Key Takeaways**
- Tema’s geographic leverage, coupled with years of infrastructure investment,_topline operations, and digital sophistication.
- The port’s pivotal role in trade, oil, and bulk cargo drives Ghana’s economic stability and growth.
- Continual expansions—particularly the 2023 lengthening of berth and the 202black modernization—ensure Tema remains competitive among regional ports such as Monrovia, Lagos, and Dakar.
- Advanced logistics links, accessible by railolland and road, create a high‑efficiency movement chain that supports manufacturers and regional trade players.
> *For a deeper dive into Thema’s official operational guidelines, visit the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority website:*
>
> * https://www.gpha.com/port-of-tema*
>
> *For global trade data and regulatory frameworks, consult:*
>
> * https://unctad.org/trade/analysis/port-traffic*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
GHTEM
Country
Ghana
Province / Region
Greater Accra
Latitude
5.708924
Longitude
0.018655
Timezone
Africa/Accra
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Tema?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Tema is GHTEM.
Where is Port of Tema located?
The Port of Tema is located in Ghana, Greater Accra. Its coordinates are 5.7089°N, 0.0187°E.
What time zone is Port of Tema in?
Port of Tema operates in the Africa/Accra time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
📍 Nearby Ports
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