The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) has asked the shipping community not to pay for delays at the ports.

It has also cautioned players in the commercial shipping sector not to charge shippers (importers and exporters) for delays at the port not occasioned by them.

In a public release on December 24, 2024, signed by the Chief Executive, Kwesi Baffour Sarpong, the GSA said that no shipper should be charged for costs associated with delays that are not their fault.

The directive comes after reports of significant delays in the delivery and evacuation of containers from the Tema Port, caused by scanner breakdowns and system glitches.

According to the GSA, it acknowledges the efforts being made to resolve the challenges, particularly with the scanner at MPS Terminal 3 and the intermittent system glitches of ICUMS.

However, the GSA has emphasised that shippers should not bear the cost of delays resulting from systemic failures.


If you are a cargo interest holder, consignee, or service provider who has been charged for unnecessary delays, the GSA urges you to report the incident promptly. The GSA has set up a mechanism to investigate and facilitate a refund if it is established that the delay was due to systemic failure.

"All cargo interest holders, consignees, and Service Providers should report to the GhanacShippers' Authority promptly where any such cost is imposed or paid, for the necessary investigation and a refund, where it is established that the delay was due to systemic failure," the statement said.

The GSA noted that it remains committed to working with stakeholders to ensure efficient delivery services in the shipping sector.

The move is also to remind shippers of their rights and to promote fairness and transparency in the commercial shipping industry.

SSD/AE

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