A crucial three-day workshop has been held at the Meridian Port Services (MPS) Terminal 3 at Tema Port, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) GreenVoyage2050 Just-In-Time (JIT) Sailing Project in Ghana.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders from the maritime and port sectors to strengthen collaboration and enhance operational efficiency through the adoption of the JIT Sailing concept.
The Just-In-Time Sailing initiative is designed to improve coordination between ports, shipping lines and service providers, enabling vessels to arrive only when berths are available.
This reduces unnecessary waiting time at sea, lowers fuel consumption, cuts operational costs and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
The initiative is seen as an immediate operational solution while the global maritime industry works towards the widespread adoption of cleaner alternative fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia.
The project also aligns with the Government of Ghana’s vision of positioning Tema Port as a strategic hub under the 24-hour economy policy by improving port efficiency, increasing vessel turnaround speed and enhancing the competitiveness of the country’s maritime sector.
The workshop brought together representatives from the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Meridian Port Services (MPS), the Ghana Revenue Authority’s Customs Division, the Ghana Immigration Service and major international shipping lines.
Participants discussed strategies to strengthen collaboration among port stakeholders, improve information sharing and streamline vessel arrival and departure processes to support the successful implementation of the JIT Sailing programme.
Stakeholders expressed confidence that the enhanced cooperation would not only improve operational efficiency and reduce logistics costs but also contribute significantly to Ghana’s emissions reduction agenda in line with the IMO’s global decarbonisation targets.
The initiative is expected to position Tema Port as a leading regional example of sustainable and efficient port operations while supporting Ghana’s broader ambition of becoming a competitive maritime and logistics hub in West Africa.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
