Tema Port seeks to reduce pollution caused during cement vessel discharge as authorities eye a modern system away from the traditional l grab-and-hopper systems.

Speaking at the fifth anniversary launch and durbar of Dzata Cement Limited, Director of the Tema Port, Tebon Zumah, said his outfit seeks to adopt pneumatic suction technology to eliminate dust pollution.

According to Tebon Zumah, the modernisation drive will require cement manufacturers to adopt technologies that support cleaner and more environmentally friendly handling of cement at the port.

Basically, large mechanical grabs scoop the cement from the ship and drop it into a hopper or container. This movement can cause cement dust to spread into the surrounding air.

With pneumatic suction technology, the port would instead use powerful suction systems, similar to a giant vacuum, to draw the cement out of the vessel through enclosed pipes.

“We really don’t like this idea of cement being handled in grabs and hopper form. If you get into the port, you will see that when we are handling cement, there is a lot of dust. We want to modernise our ports and move away from that.

“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,” Tebon Zumah added.

Mr Tebon also commended Dzata Cement for its work in introducing an alternative approach to cement handling at the port.

Tebon Zumah noted that, unlike manufacturers that traditionally import cement in loose form for subsequent bagging, Dzata Cement imports its products in jumbo bags, a model he said has improved the cleanliness and efficiency of cement handling 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 would not follow the normal process of cement bagging,” Tebon Zumah observed.

He said Dzata Cement’s use of jumbo bags has also allowed the company to operate from prime berths at Tema Port, including Berths One and Two, while avoiding the environmental concerns linked to conventional cement discharge.

“But because of the nature of Dzata Cement, we can handle them at Berths One and Two. Because they are in jumbo bags, they are neater, they are cleaner. In terms of environment, you cannot complain,” Tebon Zumah mentioned.

He further encouraged other cement manufacturers to learn from Dzata Cement’s approach as the port pushes for cleaner handling practices.

“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. So I believe others will follow suit,” he said.

Tebon Zumah urged Dzata Cement to sustain its focus on innovation and industry standards as the company enters its next phase of growth.

“We can only say congratulations to Dzata Cement and request that it continue to be innovative, continue to set the standards,” he added.