Member Info for Novice14

“ Government in 2015 negotiated the 35 years contract with the MPS for the development and operationalisation of a multipurpose container terminal at the Tema Port to create a deeper vessel capacity with an accompanying container storage facility as parts of efforts to position Ghana's ports as a hub within the West African sub-region. ” https://mobile.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Tema-Port-MPS-deal-to-be-renegotiated-746110

It’s a done deal and that is a reality!!! They cannot terminate as that will be a serious breach and detrimental to Ghana’s standing as a place for fair business (not forgetting the billions poured in for this project through the IMF and EU who will place Ghana under severe financial penalties) - the only thing that will matter to us is how much we get which in the grand scheme of things may not matter too much as it is an income generating contract!!!

Has a strong coal background https://www.businessnews.com.au/Person/Alistair-Muir -let’s hope he can deliver!!!

“ Experts predict Boohoo will book £500million of sales this year, with Nasty Gal contributing close to £100million.
City analysts at Jefferies said: With such high-profile campaigns, Nasty Gal is emerging as a strong third brand in Boohoo's stable.'” Boohoo hopes for boost from Cara Delevingne's new line for Nasty Gal https://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/markets/article-7614905/Boohoo-hopes-boost-Cara-Delevingnes-new-line-Nasty-Gal.html

Another major shipping line to add Tema to its route https://www.msc.com/aut/notices/2019-october/update-on-africa-express?lang=en-gb

Very frank and skilled chap http://turks.us/article.php/20030615105404952 and looks like he want mess us around.

Thanks Gibbo - fantastic appointments that will lead to further big contracts fingers crossed - patience is key - learnt that holding EUA and MATD for a while - WSG’s day will come!!

https://twitter.com/tradegovukMENA/status/1186572759754780672 the DIT says “ If you’re a #British business looking to source foodstuffs or export your products overseas, consider #Iran” - get us the blimming contract we have signed!!

The unions need to get their members employed in building the railway https://twitter.com/KayJasper2/status/1184794031341146112 - by the time it’s done phase 3 of the port expansion should be complete and they can all have their jobs back working for MPS!

Could it be Rwanda? “ Bugesera International Airport is an airport project in Rwanda. The USD818 million airport will be located 25km southeast of Kigali, feature a 4200m runway and have capacity for 1.8 million passengers p/a following the completion of first phase works in 2020. Total construction is expected to be complete by 2019 and will include the runway, cargo terminal and passenger terminal with capacity for 4.5 million passengers p/a. ” https://centreforaviation.com/data/profiles/newairports/kigali-bugesera-international-airport

Wonder when the aviation lot will visit “This week DITIran and the Iranian Animal Feed Association organised a delegation of 15 Iranian agricultural producers to the UK to see firsthand the UK’s world class Agri-tech sector and how, through trade, it can help Iran’s fast growing agricultural businesses.” https://twitter.com/tradegovukMENA/status/1184771120240713730

"Yes, some men are going through some form of military training as national security operatives to be deployed into various establishments including Tema Port among others." https://twitter.com/portionhideout/status/1184457790624075779

Wonder if WSG have landed a much wider training role? Hmm

Great buys - PREM money coming in? Hopefully we are next to rocket fingers crossed

Looks like the President is delaying things - statement made on 18th June and a response was expected from him in 6 weeks - not sure that ever happened.......

“Deputy Minister for Transport Titus Glover says President Akufo-Addo will soon rule on emerging issues from the Meridian Port Services (MPS) project at the Tema port.

According to him, the ruling of the President he believes will bring finality to the controversies at the port about the MPS project.

"The unions met his Excellency the President and he has given his word that within six weeks he will speak on the matter so it's our hope and prayer that when the president speaks at least all parties will be satisfied, because of the competition with the trans-Atlantic, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Ghana and Cote D'Ivoire in terms of transit trade we need to put systems and infrastructures in place that can support and that is why we have this MPS project to increase..............so that we have more containers coming into our country that will be....," he said in an interview with Joy FM.”

https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Akufo-Addo-will-soon-speak-on-MPS-project-controversies-Minister-756053

Fight over reefer containers
“The Maritime and Dockworkers’ Union (MDU) of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) are seething with anger over impending takeover of Reefer Container business from GPHA by Meridian Port Services, MPS.

The move by MPS, according to reports, stems from security lapses which has allegedly led to massive loss of Reefer Containers at the terminal. ”

STATEMENT DELIVERED BY DANIEL OWUSU-KORANTENG, GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE MARITIME AND DOCKWORKERS’ UNION AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE ORGANISED BY MDU IN COLLABORATION WITH TUC (GHANA) ON THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE REVIEW OF THE MERIDIAN PORT SERVICES (MPS) CONCESSION AGREEMENT ON 7TH OCTOBER,2019 https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/MDU-on-warpath-with-MPS-over-reefer-container-revenues-787320

“The Maritime and Dockworkers Union (MDU) has commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for setting up a Ministerial Committee to investigate Meridian Port Services (MPS’) Terminal 3 concession agreement at the Tema Port.”

Personally I think this can be resolved amicably creating a win-win situation for all:
“GPHA wants the right to work on 20 percent of Eligible Vessels, but MPS states that it would amount to losing its Investment Protection”

“MPS’ has made a proposal, which includes finding jobs for some of the workers who would lose their jobs as well as paying those who cannot be employed immediately for three years and retraining them with the hope of making them employable in the future.”
https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/news/port-workers-commends-president-akufo-addo-over-mps-probe/2019/amp/

Employment will be created once the complete port expansion is complete me thinks but of course patience is needed - however trade unions will want commitments now and may wish not to wait - all a balancing act.

“The Board of Directors of Gulf Air Aviation Group (GFG), Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), and Gulf Aviation Academy (GAA) [with whom WSG are in bed with] held their second meeting of 2019 under the chairmanship of the Group Chairman, His Excellency the Minister of Transportation & Telecommunications, Eng. Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, at GFG’s headquarters in Muharraq.”

“BAC’s Executive Management delivered progress reports on the construction of Bahrain International Airport’s new Passenger Terminal Building, which is in its final stages.”

“Attendees were also briefed on the progress of ongoing familiarisation and contractor training sessions to acquaint team members with the new terminal’s IT systems and other stateof-the-art equipment used at security checkpoints, registration counters, and luggage areas. The training session are progressing at a rapid pace, with participants making continued progress, and the frequency is expected to accelerate in the coming months.”

https://www.bahrainthisweek.com/minister-of-transportation-chairs-gulf-group-holding-bahrain-airport-company-and-gulf-aviation-academy-board-meeting/

Wonder if we are involved with WSG’s recent visit to Bahrain https://www.wsg-corporate.com/news/wass-visit-the-gulf-aviation-academy/?

King Khaled airport expansion is due for completion next year https://www.dfnionline.com/latest-news/king-khalid-airport-expansion-set-improve-commercial-capacity-06-08-2019/ with the installation of baggage handling and security systems planned soon https://www.protenders.com/projects/king-khalid-international-airport-expansion

Can’t recall this being shared on here hence apologies if so - Saudi British Joint Business Council aviation presentation https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb3e839b9144925687dfc3f/t/5c4eedb9bba22374afbf0ac2/1548676593243/Presentation+UK+V7.3.pdf (security bits mentioned on the last page).

A number of tenders linked to the presentation are already underway http://metenders.com/SaudiArabia/SaudiArabia-Riyadh-Jeddah-Airport-Tenders-and-Projects.asp

Sorry the 2016 tender was for Moi International (Mombasa) however Jomo Kenyatta International (Nairobi) would have had theirs installed in 2015 when the new terminal opened https://www.kenyaengineer.co.ke/president-uhuru-kenyatta-launches-the-new-terminal-2/

Nice one Gibbo - the last tendering process took place in 2016 https://www.kaa.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/SUPPLY-AND-INSTALLATION-OF-SECURITY-SCREENING-EQUIPMENT-FOR-MOI-INTERNATIONAL-AIRPORT.pdf and with the scanners dysfunctional in 3 years WSG stands a good chance fingers crossed!!

Tendering took place in June http://www.mygov.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kenya-Airports-Authority.pdf so hopefully should find out soon fingers crossed.