UN/LOCODE: GHTKD📍 Ghana
Port of Takoradi (UN/LOCODE GHTKD)
❖ Coordinates: 4.9016°N, -1.7831°E
❖ Time Zone: Africa/Accra
❖ UN/LOCODE: GHTKD
## About the Port
The **Port of Takoradi** (UN/LOCODE: **GHTKD**) is Ghana’s western gateway to the Atlantic, situated at **4.9015794 ° N, ‑1.7830973 ° W** in the Western Region. Operated by the **Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA)**, Takoradi serves a dual role as a commercial cargo hub and a strategic naval anchorage. The port lies within the **Africa/Accra** time zone (UTC +0) and is linked to the national road and rail network, providing seamless intermodal connectivity for oil‑related products, bulk commodities, and containerized cargo. Its natural deepwater berth, protected by a man‑made breakwater, accommodates vessels up to **200 m LOA** (Length Overall) and draft depths of **12 m** at the berth, making it one of the most versatile terminals in West Africa.
Key identifiers:
- **UN/LOCODE:** GHTKD
- **Port Authority:** Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA)
- **Nearest Airport:** Takoradi Airport (TKD), 15 km inland
- **Geographic Access:** Situated on the Gulf of Guinea, directly facing the Cape Three Points shipping lane
These characteristics enable Takoradi to support a wide spectrum of maritime activities, from offshore oil service vessels to bulk carriers and container ships.
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## History
The origins of Takoradi’s harbour trace back to the early **20th century**, when the British colonial administration opened a modest fishing jetty to serve the burgeoning cocoa export trade. In **1924**, a railway line was extended from the inland city of Sekondi to the seaside, prompting the construction of the first **rail‑linked wharf**. The port’s strategic importance surged during World II, when the Allies used it as a staging point for the West African theater, leading to the installation of a concrete breakwater and auxiliary oil storage tanks.
Post‑independence, Ghana’s **1975** nationalisation of ports transferred ownership to GPHA, which embarked on a series of modernisation programmes. The most consequential upgrade arrived in **2004** with the commissioning of the **Takoradi Deepwater Port (TDWP)**—a purpose‑built container terminal designed to handle Pan‑African trans‑shipment. Subsequent expansions, notably the **2012 oil terminal** and the **2018 container yard extension**, aligned the port with the rapid growth of Ghana’s offshore petroleum sector and its ambition to become a regional logistics hub.
For a detailed chronological overview, see the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority timeline here↗.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Quay
- **General Cargo Berths (2):** 180 m length, 11 m draft, equipped with 6 × 50 t mobile cranes.
- **Container Berth (1):** 250 m length, 12 m draft, serviced by two STS (Ship‑to‑Shore) gantry cranes (40 t capacity) and a fleet of rubber‑tyred gantry (RTG) cranes for yard handling.
- **Oil & Gas Terminal:** Dedicated 3‑berth complex handling LPG, diesel, aviation fuel, and crude oil, with **28 × 30 t** loading arms and on‑site storage of **1.2 million m³**.
### Storage & Cargo Handling
- **Container Yard:** 50 hectares, capable of 800,000 TEU annual throughput; equipped with automated gate systems, RFID tracking, and a 24‑hour security perimeter.
- **Bulk Facilities:** Covered warehouses (15,000 m²) for cocoa, timber, and fertilizers; open‑air silos (30,000 t) for grains and cement.
- **Cold‑Storage:** 10,000 m³ refrigerated capacity to support perishable imports such as fish and meat.
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Rail Link:** A 3.5 km standard gauge spur connects the port to the **Sekondi‑Takoradi Railway**, facilitating direct rail export of bulk commodities to the hinterland of Ghana and neighboring Côte d’Ivoire.
- **Road Network:** The port is accessible via the **N1 highway**, a major arterial route linking Accra, Kumasi, and the border crossing at Elubo.
- **Free Trade Zone (FTZ):** Established in **2015**, the FTZ spans 12 hectares, offering customs‑exempt processing for value‑added manufacturing and re‑export activities.
### Ancillary Services
- **Pilotage & Towage:** 24‑hour pilotage provided by GPHA‑licensed pilots; a fleet of twin‑screw tugs (25 t bollard pull) ensures safe maneuvering.
- **Customs & Clearance:** Integrated with the Ghana Revenue Authority’s Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA), enabling electronic filing and real‑time tracking of cargo.
- **Safety & Security:** Certified under the **International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code**, with CCTV coverage, maritime patrol boats, and a dedicated Coast Guard detachment.
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## Economic Importance
Takoradi is a linchpin of Ghana’s **Western Region economy**, accounting for roughly **15 % of the nation’s total maritime cargo volume** (≈ 7 million tonnes per annum, 2023 data). Its contribution can be summarised across three core sectors:
1. **Offshore Oil & Gas** – The proximity to the **Bono, Ankobra, and Saltpond** offshore fields makes Takoradi the primary logistics base for petroleum exploration and production. The port handles **≈ 50 % of Ghana’s crude oil imports** and **> 70 % of refined product exports**, supporting a supply chain valued at **US$ 2.3 billion** annually.
2. **Agricultural Trade** – Historically the export point for Ghana’s cocoa, the port now processes **≈ 800,000 tonnes** of agricultural commodities yearly, including timber, shea butter, and cashew nuts. The FTZ encourages agro‑processing, boosting local employment and value‑addition.
3. **Industrial Manufacturing** – Takoradi’s container terminal underpins the **West African Cement and Steel** industries, facilitating both the import of raw materials and the export of finished goods. The port’s **logistics efficiency** (average vessel turnaround < 24 h) reduces supply‑chain costs, enhancing Ghana’s competitiveness in regional markets.
The **World Bank’s 2022 Logistics Performance Index** ranks Ghana 67th globally, with Takoradi’s performance contributing to the country’s overall improvement. For deeper insight into Ghana’s maritime sector, refer to the World Bank analysis of West African ports here↗.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
- **Trans‑Atlantic Route:** Direct sailings between Takoradi and major North‑American ports (New York, Houston) and European hubs (Rotterdam, Antwerp) dominate the crude oil and refined product traffic. Typical transit times: **10–12 days** to the U.S. Gulf Coast, **14–16 days** to Europe.
- **Intra‑West African Corridor:** Overland links to **Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire)**, **Lomé (Togo)**, and **Porto‑Novo (Benin)** create a multimodal corridor for containerized goods, leveraging the ECOWAS Regional Trade Agreement.
- **Southern Indian Ocean Swing:** Seasonal vessels connect Takoradi to Indian Ocean ports (Durban, Mumbai) for the export of specialty timber and the import of fertilizers, exploiting the south‑west monsoon wind patterns.
### Cargo Profiles
| Cargo Category | Volume (2023) | Key Origins/Destinations | Remarks |
|----------------|--------------|--------------------------|---------|
| **Crude Oil** | 4.8 M t | Imported from Nigeria and Angola; exported to Europe | Handled at the dedicated oil terminal; strict ISPS compliance. |
| **Refined Products** | 2.1 M t | Exported to West African landlocked markets (Burkina Faso, Mali) | Primarily diesel, gasoline, and kerosene. |
| **Containerized Goods** | 800 k TEU | Imports: machinery, electronics from China; Exports: cocoa beans to Belgium | High turnaround efficiency with 2 STS cranes. |
| **Bulk Minerals** | 1.3 M t | Imports: cement, iron ore; Exports: manganese, bauxite | Supported by heavy‑lift cranes (30 t). |
| **Agricultural Produce** | 500 k t | Exports: cocoa, cashew nuts to EU; Imports: rice, wheat from USA | Cold‑storage capacity critical for perishables. |
### Emerging Trends
- **LNG Importation:** With Ghana’s shift toward cleaner energy, Takoradi is positioning itself to receive **Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)** shipments via specialized terminals, projected to reach **0.5 M t** by 2030.
- **Digitalisation:** The port has piloted a **Blockchain‑based cargo tracking platform** (in partnership with the Ghanaian Ministry of Transport), aiming to reduce paperwork and improve transparency.
- **Sustainability Initiatives:** GPHA has introduced shore‑power (cold ironing) for vessels up to 40 m, cutting emissions by an estimated **25 %** for docked ships.
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*The Port of Takoradi remains a critical node in West Africa’s maritime network, blending deep‑water capabilities, diversified cargo handling, and strategic location to support Ghana’s economic growth and regional trade integration.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
GHTKD
Country
Ghana
Province / Region
Western
Latitude
4.901579
Longitude
-1.783097
Timezone
Africa/Accra
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Takoradi?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Takoradi is GHTKD.
Where is Port of Takoradi located?
The Port of Takoradi is located in Ghana, Western. Its coordinates are 4.9016°N, -1.7831°E.
What time zone is Port of Takoradi in?
Port of Takoradi 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
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Takoradi.
Tema
Ghana • 219 km awayAbidjan
Côte d'Ivoire • 252 km awayLome
Togo • 362 km awayCotonou
Benin • 490 km away