MPS agrees to cede 20% containerised cargo to GPHA

Meridian Port Services (MPS) has agreed to cede 20% of containerised cargo at the Tema Port to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

The decision by MPS was made at a crunch meeting on Wednesday, July 13, between the GPHA, Minister for Transport and MPS.

The decision also followed the industrial strike action embarked on by the local labour unions of the GPHA.

In a press statement issued by the GPHA, MPS starting from August 1, 2022, will cede 20% of the containerised cargo at the Tema Port to the GPHA.

Read details of statement below:

PRESS RELEASE

VESSEL MOVEMENT RESUMES AFTER INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY  GPHA LOCAL LABOUR UNIONSS OVER HANDLING OF 20%  CONTAINER TRAFFIC 

On Tuesday and Wednesday 12th and 13th July 2022, the Local  Labour Unions of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA)  staged an industrial action over the handling of 20% container traffic.

However, Management wishes to assure the general public that calm  has returned to the Port of Tema and vessel activities have resumed.  The Authority has between 12.00 a.m. to midday Thursday July 14  sailed and berthed 11 vessels.

The Authority regrets the hold up of vessel operations in the port and  extends its apologies to all stakeholders including the Shipping Lines,  Importers and Exporters, Freight Forwarders, Transporters and Transit  Partners.

Management wishes to clarify the issues as follows:

1. That when the original concession agreement between MPS  and GPHA was signed in 2015, it did not include the 20%  container traffic share for GPHA. The 2015 contract allowed MPS  to exclusively handle all container traffic. However, an appeal  was made to the President of the Republic, His Excellency, Nana  Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to intervene, culminating in a  Cabinet decision in 2019 for MPS to cede 20% share of container  traffic to GPHA.

2. That upon the Cabinet decision, Management of GPHA and  MPS have held several discussions and negotiations to work out  the technical and financial details needed for implementation.

The GPHA Unions however felt the implementation had delayed,  hence the agitation on the 12^th and 13^th July 2022.

3. That on Tuesday July 12, 2022 the Director General and  Management again met with MPS on the matter, after which  Management appealed to the Unions to call off the industrial  action with an assurance that a resolution was imminent by  Thursday July 14, 2022.

4. That after a crunch meeting on Wednesday July 13, 2022  involving the Minister for Transport, a Deputy Minister for  Transport, the Board Chairman, the Director-General, the  Director of Port of Tema and the Chief Executive Officer of MPS,  a letter was issued under the hand of the CEO of MPS,  Mohammed Samara indicating the willingness of MPS to cede  the handling of the 20% gateway container traffic to GPHA for  two years effective 1^ST August, 2022. 

5. That Management assures all staff of its commitment to ensure  effective implementation.

6. That the Authority reiterates its resolve to continue delivering  efficient services in a safe and secure environment to its valued  stakeholders.

SIGNED: 

ESTHER GYEBI-DONKOR (MRS.)  

GENERAL MANAGER, MARKETING AND CORP. AFFAIRS  14^TH JULY 2022 

Attention:

All Media Houses

Source: norvanreports.com