PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Takoradi
Pilot
updated Jul 2016- Takoradi (Aboadi) Oil Terminal Pilot boards04°58.0′N 001°35.0′W
- Pilot boarding place Pilot boards04°53.7′N 001°42.8′W
Available throughout 24hrs. Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels entering and leaving or shifting berths in the main harbour. Vessels wishing to enter the harbour must await pilot boarding about 0.8nm NE of lee breakwater. Alternatively, vessels can anchor at the quarantine anchorage. The pilot boards at 04°53.6'N 001°43.6'W, for tankers, pilot boards at 04°53.5'N 001°40.2'W.
Key data
updated Jul 2020Size limits
Harbour: LOA 250m, beam 36.5m, draught 13.3m, 77,195DWT.
Offshore: LOA 247m, 104,996DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Takoradi Thermal Power Station | — | 247 m | 1 |
| Port of Takoradi | — | 239 m | 18 |
| New Bulk Terminal | 13.30 m | 225 m | 3 |
| Takoradi Terminal | — | 180 m | 1 |
| New Container Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Sekondi-Takoradi Naval Base | — | — | 3 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jul 2020Approach
Apart from Takoradi Reef, south of the Main Breakwater, and shipwrecks, noted on AC No 3012, approach to entrance is free from hazards. There are navaids to ensure safety of ships using port:
Takooradi Lighthouse 4°532'N, 1°345'W: group flashing white, 10 seconds, visible 32km.
Main breakwater head: flashing red, one second, visible 12.8km.
Lee Breakwater head: flashing green, visible 12.8km.
Port limits
The port limit extends approx 2nm ESE from Takoradi Point, then 2.3nm NNE and about 2nm NE to the coast S of Sekondi Lagoon.
Traffic schemes and VTS
None.
Anchorages
Takoradi Bay has a water depth of more than 11.0m (location as per Admiralty Chart No 3012). Anchorage area is beyond the two breakwaters at approach to harbour entrance.
Restrictions
No night berthing at tanker berth.
Tugs
The port owns three tug boats and two must always be in attendance for berthing, sailing and shifting in the main harbour. Tugs are fitted with monitors for firefighting. Tugs up to 1,250hp are available on special application. Two tugs of 1,860kw with 40t bollard pull are also available.
Charts and publications
BA 3102, 3112, 3113. Admiralty Pilot NP1, NP286(8).
Inspections
Inspection of ships in Ghana
Hydrography and state inspection of ships:
Ghana Maritime Authority
Technical Services Division
No. E354/3, 3rd Avenue, East Ridge, Ministries Post Office,
PMB 34, Accra, Ghana
Tel: +233 21 684392 and 3
Fax: +233 21 677702
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ghanamaritime.org.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.
Position: Port Facility Security Officer and Harbour Master.
Address: PO Box 139, Tema, Ghana.
Tel: +233 22 202815.
Mob: +233 90 244 329589
Recognised Security Organisations (RSO):
International Maritime Security
Address: The Garden House,
Little Chilmington, Kent TN23 3DN, England
Tel: +44 1233 613412
Fax: +44 1233 635290
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.intmarsec.co.uk
Persons responsible for Port Security:
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.
Port services
updated Jul 2020Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available by hydrant pipe at Berths 2, 4, 5 and 6 and at the Viking Berth. Rate of supply is 20tph.
Bunkering: Diesel and other fuel oils available at main quay by pipeline and supplied by GOIL, Shell, Ghanstock and TotalFina. This is sometimes supported by road tankers.
Stores: Obtained through ship chandlers/agents.
Medical
Available at the port and at local hospital.
Crew change
Crew change is available through the Merchant Marine Office.
Transport
Nearest airport: Takoradi, approx 3km; Kotoka International Airport (Accra), 230km.
Nearest railway: Takoradi.
Working hours
Two shifts: 0730-1930hrs and 1930-0730hrs. Overtime rates apply on Sat, Sun and public holidays and during lunch breaks. The port is open throughout 24 hours.
About Takoradi
updated Mar 2022Where it is
Takoradi is located approx 100nm SW of Accra.
The port
Takoradi is a wholly artificial port created within two breakwaters, the main breakwater is 1,800m in length and the shorter lee breakwater is 800m in length. There are facilities for general, dry bulk and oil cargoes and a slipway a drydock for small vessel repair work. Transit cargoes are handled for Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
The principal export is manganese bauxite, cocoa, manganese ore, timber products and palm oil.
Some of the main imports are cotton goods, mining equipment, petroleum products, clinker, wheat, construction equipment, rice, sugar and project cargoes. The port also discovered oil and gas field, Takoradi has found a new and rapidly expanding role as a support hub for the offshore sector.
Traffic
Approx 8,000,000t of cargo, 43,000TEUs and 900 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Takoradi
Where does the pilot board at Takoradi?
The pilot boards at Takoradi (Aboadi) Oil Terminal, 04°58.0′N 001°35.0′W. Takoradi has 2 pilot boarding places.
What time zone is Takoradi in?
Local time at Takoradi is UTC+0. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Takoradi?
The deepest berth listed is at New Bulk Terminal: 13.30 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Takoradi?
1025.
Which load line zone is Takoradi in?
Tropical.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Takoradi?
The UN/LOCODE of Takoradi is GHTKD.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Takoradi say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.