Description

Abstract

The port being an economical leg of countries development and therefore, effective operation of dry bulk cargo at this port is crucial since it is a major participant in the global logistics and transportation sector. At the Port of Tema, a significant amount of cargo traffic consists of dry bulk cargo, which includes goods like grains, cereals, ores, coal, and other raw materials. To assess the efficiency of the dry bulk cargo handling, questionnaires and interviews were conducted based. This research also employs sampling method. Data collection will be done by picking respondent by a purposive sampling method. This research aimed to analyse the efficiency dry bulk port handling Ghanaian ports. The concluding chapters of this research represent the data analysis, policy recommendation for the stakeholders of Ghanaian ports, and also recommendations that are deemed useful for further research.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER PAGE

TITLE PAGE

APPROVAL PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

• INTRODUCTION

1.1    Background of study

• Statement of the Problem
• Research aim and objectives
• Research questions
• Significance of study
• Scope of study
• Operational definition
• Project organisation

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

• INTRODUCTION
• The port of tema
• Cargo handling system of tema port
• Review of related studies
• Containerized Transport
• Port Performance
• Port performance indicators
• Measuring Port Performance and Productivity
• Port Performance Analytic Theories Reviews
• Definitions of Key Concepts
• Summary

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.1      Introduction

3.2      Research Design

3.3      Target Population

3.4      Sampling Procedure

3.5      Sample Size and Sampling Techniques

3.5      Data Collection

3.6      Data Sources

3.6      Measurement of Variables

3.7      Data Analysis

3.8      Reliability and Validity of Data

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS

4.1    INTRODUCTION

4.2    Analysis on Response Rate (Questionnaires)

4.3    Characteristics and Demography of Respondents

4.4    Customers Perception Quay Crane performance in Relations to Service delivery

4.5    Customers Perception on Ship-Shore operation

4.6    Analysis on dry bulk Handled at Berth

4.7    Analysis on Berth Output

 

CHAPTER FIVE

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1            Introduction

5.2            Summary of Findings

5.3            Conclusion

5.4            Recommendations

5.5            Further Research

References

 

 

INTRODUCTION

1.0                  Background of study

Tema Port have been known for a long time by the services they provide such as providing container handling facilities (containing dry bulk cargo) via a dedicated container terminal managed and operated by a private company, Meridian Port Services (MPS). The MPS terminal consists of berths 1 and 2 has a quay length of 575 metres with the following facilities: 3 Ship to shore gantries, 4 yard gantries, 2 Mobile Cranes, Reach Stackers, 272 reefer plug points and a six lane gate complex. In June 2015 the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority and the Meridian Port services signed a contract, worth $1.5 billion to substantially expand Tema port as a key component of GPHA’s master plan for development of port infrastructure, this is aimed at increasing container traffic and accommodating some of the world’s biggest container ships. Subsequently, the GPHA implemented the paperless policy (1^st September 2017), which is aimed at increasing port’s efficiency. The question left to pounder is how the port expansion project and paperless policy implemented will improve cargo handling performance.

According to Valentine & Gray (2012), understanding port performance is an essential concept to any port management, be it the measurement of port productivity against utilization and output, or against port competition. Chung (2015) opined that, “the operational performance of a port is generally measured in terms of speed with which a vessel is despatched, the rate at which cargo is handled and the duration that cargo stays in port prior to shipment or post discharge” invariably, this statement suggests that cargo-handling performance is measured by two indicators, vessel turn-around time and cargo dwell-time, which is to a large extent determined by the time frame taken to handle cargo at the port. As indicated by UNCTAD (2019), “operational efficiency can be measured using indicators, this indicators are either macro or micro performance indicators.

Macro performance indicators refers to the port’s impact on economic activities whilst micro refer to the evaluation of input/output ratio measurement of port/cargo-handling operations. “As far as cargo-handling efficiency is concerned, there are four commonly used groups of efficiency indicators: Output, Service, Utilization and productive indicators.

According to Esmer (2008), “ports are complex and dynamic systems consisting of numerous interacting elements, influenced by random factors” “hence the full utilization of available resources and efficient management of cargo-handling operations are two major goals of ports”. Under these two goals many objectives will be achieved such as: increasing the port’s throughput and utilization of resources (berths, cranes, quay, yards, etc.), “reducing handling time, minimizing port congestion, minimizing disruptions, demurrage and cargo- handling cost”.

1.1      Statement of the Problem

Port of Tema “is currently more than saturated with berths capable due to enough draught. A serious problem is caused because an increasing number of larger vessels are only able to mourn at the two MPS-berths that have enough draught and suitable quayside equipment. “Subsequently, both berths are constantly used. Larger vessels occupying MPS-berths result in high waiting time (resulting in anchorage costs) for other vessels accessing the port”. “A reason queuing at the MPS- berths is the availability of adequate ship-to-shore cranes (Gantry cranes). The handling capacity for the other 10 berths at port of Tema is scarce; a vessel should use a deck crane/ its derricks to unload goods. “It will take more time to create a vacant berth due to reduced handling movements. Ships do not prefer other berths due to lower efficiency caused by inadequate equipment and lower skilled cargo handlers, this can lead to longer turn-around time. “The unavailability of suitable berths might bring shipping lines to the conclusion to move neighbouring seaports like Lomé and Abidjan”.

1.3   Research aim and objectives

1.3.1 Main aim

The main aim of this research is to analysis the operational efficiency of dry bulk cargo handling at the Port Of Tema.

1.2.2 Specific Objectives

With the use of mixed method research approach, this study aims at fulfilling these specific objectives. .

• To analyze cargo-handling efficiency for containerized cargo at berth in respect to service time, ship output, berth output, utilization and productivity
• To determine to what effect dry bulk cargo-handling operations have on turnaround time of container vessels and identify bottlenecks.
• To find out customers perception in respect to service quality in dry bulk cargo-handling procedure at the container berths.

1.4    Research questions

This research seeks to provide answers to the following questions:

1. What are the factors that affect the operational efficiency of a cargo-handling at Tema port?
2. What are the performance levels at the berth in relations to time related service, output, utilisation and productivity

• What are customers perceptions to service and efficiency on operating procedures at the terminal

1.5    Significance of study

This study will give an insight on the logistics operations performance or efficiency at the port. Recommendations from the findings would be useful to the government and the port stakeholders. With the continuous investment in the port superstructure and infrastructure, this study points out the need for more efficient and effective management of port logistics operations.

This research is significant on the grounds that a lot of savings can be made in the port environment, when port superstructure infrastructures are properly utilized. Analysis on operational efficiency and its effect container traffic would play a key role in ports revenue and give an insight on areas of operations that requires investment.

1.6    SCOPE OF STUDY

The scope of this research covers evaluating the dry bulk cargo-handling performance. It specifically looks at the ship-to-shore operations at the various berths capable of handling containerized cargo. Port operations is simply that part of port logistics that implements and controls the efficient, effective flow and storage of goods from sea to shore, to meet customers requirement. This study will analyze the physical and information flow (scheduling, loading and offloading, crane moves, etc.) of containers at the berth, in tema port.

1.7    OPERATIONAL DEFINITION

Port logistics operations: Port logistics operations is simply that part of port operations that implements and controls the efficient, effective flow and storage of goods from ship to shore, to meet customers requirement (researcher’s definition).

Berth: a place in which a vessel is moored or secured, place alongside a quay where a ship loads or discharges cargo

Turnaround Time: the time between a ship arriving at port and sailing

 

Container Terminal: an area designated for stowage of cargo in containers, usually accessible by truck, railroad, and marine transportation, where containers are picked up, dropped off, maintained, and housed

Container Yard: Materials handling/storage facility used for completely unitized loads in containers and /or empty containers.

Gateway: a point at which freight moving from one territory to another is interchanged between transportation lines

Liner Ships: a vessel sailing between specified ports on a fixed route, at a fixed cost and a fixed time on a regular basis

Stevedore: an individual or firm that employs longshoremen to load and unload vessel

1.8    ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY:

The research will be organized into five chapters

CHAPTER ONE: This introductory chapter includes: the background of the study, statement of the problem, research questions, and justification of the study, scope of the study, operational definition and the organization of chapters.

CHAPTER TWO: This literature review will focus on review of related terms and studies.

CHAPTER THREE: This presents the methods which have been used for data Collection and data analysis. In addition, the validity and credibility of data sources and results are discussed.

CHAPTER FOUR:  Presents the outcomes of observations, Interviews and the author’s Interpretations of them.

CHAPTER FIVE: This presents the recommendations and conclusions of the research work.

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0                                  CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1            Introduction

 

The previous chapter presented the analysis and findings revealed in the study. This concluding chapter provides a summary of the research, summary of major findings, conclusion and recommendation as deduced from the findings of the study.

5.2      Summary of Findings

 

The study area was the Tema Port with the unit of analysis being Ship Agents and Vessel’s crew at Tema Port. Tem Port offers two major services, thus service to Vessels and service to Goods. This was limited to service to goods which is also referred to as cargo handling service. Thus, the study assessed the effect of Cargo-handling performance on Vessel Turn-around time at the Port with regards to the service to goods operations of the port. Specifically the study was focused to achieve the following objectives: To analyze cargo-handling performance (containerized vesels), in respect to service time, ship output, berth output and utilization. Review of existing data indicated that the Port of Tema is the bigger of the two Ports in Ghana. It was opened to traffic in 1962. Cargo-handling operation of the port of Tema is guided by a legal framework, PNDC Law 160 which established Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GHPA) with specific statutory functions which include; planning, management, maintenance, Operating and Control of ports in Ghana. The study conceptualizes cargo-handling performance effect on vessel turn-around time a well as perception of port users on cargo-handling procedures at the port as a process, subjectively, objective, cumulative, statistical analysis (Gronroos, 2000) was adopted as the main theoretical framework for the study. From the data that was gathered through the survey and interview, there three specific objectives that was set for the study were achieved. the first one is customer satisfaction, this is reflected to vessel’s crew and ship’s agent’s satisfaction. The second one is waiting time, service time, idle time and output, and which reflect on container flow service time which as a direct effect on vessel turn-around time. The study shows a significate time difference between MPS terminal which is under concession agreement with the GPHA, and other GHPA terminals. The combination of automated systems and skilled labour at MPS berths (1 and 2) resulted in improvement in speed of task, removal of human errors and  manual activity and improved quality of service as well as reduced cost. The second objective was to examine the determinant of customer satisfaction. The findings established that customer satisfaction with respect to provision of shore handling service (Receipt of goods, Storage of goods and Delivery of goods) at port of Tema is quite above average. Finally, the study revealed that there exist a strong positive correlation between cargo—handling operations and turn-around time at the port of Tema. The research findings strongly suggest that continuous improvement in operational efficiency over the years has led to delivery of quality services, dependability of services, and increase in operational speed – in terms of average lead time offered to customers.

5.3      Conclusion

 

The findings on chapter four raise important issues that are elaborated and a precise recommendations are made from the researcher’s findings analyzed. The research study show that the vessel turn-around time is highly influenced by cargo-handling performance. It is studied from the findings above, that there are three key factors to measure cargo-handling performance of containers at the port; the first one is customer satisfaction, this is reflected to vessel’s crew and ship’s agent’s satisfaction. The second one is waiting time, service time, idle time and output, and which reflect on container flow service time which as a direct effect on vessel turn-around time. The study shows a significate time difference between MPS terminal which is under concession agreement with the GPHA,

“First it is important to the decision maker to accurately define to accurately define the benchmark for operational performance and aim at achieving it. If it is to have more cargo’s, whether it is to have greater efficiency and thus lower costs, making the port an element of support to the competitiveness of companies in the region or whether wants to increase revenue” per ton. “The turn-around time of a port is a basic element to its performance”, but “in most cases it is a fact that already exists and not easy to change, in this case only the government can decide to invest in more ship-to-shore equipment to reduce” turn-around. Fast vessel and vessel turn round time due to more and modern cargo handling equipment, Increase in ship traffic and ship size too and an overall Improved port efficiency;

5.3      Recommendations

 

Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are made;

1. It is “recommended that the Management of the Ports should ensure that full automation of service delivery system is used in shore handling This is to ensure that human errors are reduced or eliminated and the delivery of service is at faster” rate. This recommendation “is based on the finding that the few automation systems in place have been efficient in the delivery of service to the satisfaction of” customers. As “such a full implementation of automation systems in the Port will increase operational efficiency” at the port.
2. Quay “cranes served as an essential elements of the transshipment of containers in the container” It is therefore recommended that Ghana Port and Habour Authority (GPHA), a state corporation clothed with the responsibility to “maintain, operate, improve and regulate Tema Port considers continuous investments in modern quay cranes as well as gantry cranes” to “supplement the current ones in order to continuously enhance productivity, increase container inputs and throughput” respectively
3. It “is again recommended that a railway be constructed to link Port of Tema to other regions with high cargo” This “can result in operational efficiency thereby making Port of Tema, the preferred choice to importers from the sub-Saharan” countries.

5.4      Further Research

 

Further research should be undertaken on the following areas: dry bulk Cargo Handling Safety Policy Implementation in Maritime Logistics and the Role Global Supply Chain plays in Container Terminals Security. These areas have been identified for future research so as to contribute to the academic debate in Maritime Logistics in Global Supply Chain.