Company Overview
VLTC was incorporated on February 23, 1970, under the companies code 1963 (Act 179), as a joint venture of VRA (51%) and two foreign companies: Elder Dempster Line of England (24.5%) and Scanlake of Denmark (24.5%). The foreign partners were nominated as commercial partners with responsibility for the management of the company.
The company was subsequently issued a certificate to commence business, effective 9th March 1970 by the Registrar of Companies. In 1976, due to a slump in economic activities in the country, the foreign partners sold their shares to the VRA, which thus became the sole shareholder on behalf of the Ghana Government.
Our Mandate
VLTC was established with the following strategic objectives:
- To operate as public carriers of all forms of water-borne transport including hovercraft, for persons and/or freight on the Volta Lake.
- To act as ship owners, charterers, warehousemen, storekeepers, bailees, wharfingers, lighter men, and stevedores.
- To operate such other forms of transport including rail and road transport as may be necessary for or ancillary to the business of the company.
- To do such other things or act as may be necessary for carrying out the business of the company.
Our Operations
The operations of the Company fall under two main strategic areas:
South/North Operations
Our South/North operations create vital connections between the inland ports of Akosombo (South) and Buipe (North), spanning 415 kilometers. These operations encompass the transportation of liquid cargo, solid cargo, and passengers across this critical corridor.
Liquid Cargo Operations: Currently operating with one pusher tug (MV Buipe) and four petroleum barges with a total storage capacity of 3,200 m³, we maintain the capacity to transport 90,310 m³ (76,800 tonnes) annually from Akosombo to Buipe.
Dry Cargo Operations: With one pusher tug and three barges supported by appropriate forklift trucks, VLTC can transport 2,250 tonnes per week, or approximately 80,000 metric tons of solid cargo annually. Cement now constitutes almost exclusively the solid cargo transported by the company.
Ferry Services
VLTC operates cross-ferry services at five strategic locations: Adawso (Eastern Region), Yeji (Bono-East Region), Kete-Krachi (Oti Region), Agordeke (Eastern Region), and Dambai (Oti Region).
These ferry services represent our social responsibility towards communities displaced and cut off from existing road connections after the construction of the Volta Dam. We operate five ferry crafts including MV Millennium Challenge, MV Nana Mprah Besemuna, MV Ndewura Jakpa, MV Damen, and MV Freedom and Justice.
Competitive Advantage
Water transport provides the most cost-effective mode for goods transportation through economies of scale compared to other transport modes. VLTC's operations on the Volta Lake are competitively priced compared to road transport.
Cost Efficiency: Our freight rates are set at 60% of approved Bulk Road Vehicle (BRV) rates by the National Petroleum Authority. For cement haulage, we charge GH¢169.4 per tonne for 415 km, comparing favorably with road transport rates.
Environmental Impact: Each VLTC trip removes the equivalent of 50 articulated trucks from Ghana's roads, reducing road damage and accidents while promoting sustainable transportation.
Market & Pricing Strategy
Our market comprises:
- Inter-regional Trade: Connecting South/East and Northern parts of Ghana through South/North lake traffic
- Local/Domestic Market: Serving the lake catchment area through cross-lake ferry services
Pricing Structure:
• Ferry Services: Tariffs are proposed by VLTC for approval by the Ministry of Transport
• Charter Services: Negotiated rates with clients
• South/North Solid Cargo: Negotiated rates with major clients
• South/North Liquid Cargo: Rates set by National Petroleum Authority (NPA)