Danish satellite operator Sternula has entered a new partnership with the Ghana Maritime Authority to strengthen the maritime sector in Ghana and West Africa.

Under the new partnership, the Ghana Maritime Authority will be testing satellite-based VDES from Sternula to enhance navigation and safety in Ghanaian waters. The VDES solution will enable reliable and accurate Maritime Safety Information (MSI) warnings to be sent to seafarers by local authorities to enhance safety in the water. This is expected to help Ghana to gain a better picture of traffic in neaby waters. 

“Naturally, we are very satisfied with the new agreement that will contribute to the positive maritime development of Ghana. Almost 90 per cent of West Africa’s trade is handled by sea, so we see a great potential in implementing our satellite-based e-Navigation technology to boost the entire Ghanaian maritime sector,” said CEO at Sternula, Lars Moltsen.

As one of Africa’s leading seafaring nations, Ghana is attracting more and more merchant traffic in and around the country’s largest ports. Therefore, it has become of governmental interest to integrate new technology to improve safety as well as efficiency of maritime trade and transport along the Ghanaian coast.

“In line with our ambitious goals, today we are entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the first Danish satellite-provider in advanced micro-satellites. This marks the beginning of a new partnership that could lead to the deployment of cutting edge technologies in our maritime domain,” the director general of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Mr Thomas Alonsi said.