Director Tebon Zumah announced that Tema Port is moving away from the traditional grab‑and‑hopper system for cement vessels, opting for pneumatic suction technology to curb dust pollution.
Zumah said the shift would require cement manufacturers to adopt technologies that support cleaner, more environmentally friendly handling at the port. “We really don’t like this idea of cement being handled in grabs and hopper form,” he said. “If you get into the port, you will see when we are handling cement, there is a lot of dust. We want to modernise our ports and move away from that.”
The port authority is considering the introduction of pneumatic suction systems in the coming years, which could significantly reduce dust emissions when cement vessels are berthed. “So we are thinking of having a suction system, pneumatic systems that, if you are in the industry, you are aware of, in the next few years,” Zumah added.
He made the remarks at the fifth anniversary launch and durbar of Dzata Cement Limited, praising the company for its alternative approach to cement handling. Dzata imports its products in jumbo bags, a model that has improved cleanliness and efficiency at the port. “When the company came to the scene within the port enclave and decided to question the status quo, the company decided that it will not follow the normal process of cement bagging,” Zumah observed.
Because the jumbo bags are neater and cleaner, Dzata can operate from prime berths at Tema Port without the environmental concerns of conventional discharge. “In terms of environment, you cannot complain,” Zumah said.
Zumah encouraged other cement manufacturers to learn from Dzata’s approach. “We have encouraged all the others to copy notes and I got the assurance from Dzata that they will not be wicked at all; they will be prepared to share their notes,” he said. He urged the company to continue innovating as it enters its next growth phase.
With the port’s modernization drive, Tema Port aims to set new industry standards for cleaner cement handling and reduce dust pollution across the Ghanaian coastline.
