Ghana has confirmed that it is forging ahead with plans to establish a ferry service along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor to boost shipping connectivity in the region.
Ghanaian Transport Minister Joseph Nkipe told local media recently that plans for the ferry service were now at an advanced stage. The government has appointed a marine consultancy firm to fast-track the development.
The ferry service will link Tema Port in Ghana to Benin, Togo and Nigeria, which are currently connected by the transnational Lagos-Abidjan highway corridor. However, congestion and delays on this road are increasingly becoming a trade barrier for the region.
Apart from providing an alternative to the road network, the sea ferry is also expected to cut carbon emissions in the region. An estimated 15 000 vehicles and 500 000 people use the highway annually. Most traffic transits between Ghana and Nigeria.
According to Ghana’s government, two low-emission Ropax (roll-on/roll-off passenger) vessels will be deployed on the proposed ferry route. The development, which is expected to commence with trial operations next month, will be backed by private investors. However, further investment is required for the development of passenger and vehicle terminals at several ports along the corridor.
President John Mahama has pledged support for the project, describing it as having potential to reshape trade in the region.
The project aligns with Ghana’s vision to improve regional maritime connectivity, positioning Tema Port as a logistics hub in the Gulf of Guinea.
