IEAG calls for urgent meeting over container charges at Ghana’s ports

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has called on the Minister for Transport to convene an urgent stakeholder meeting to resolve an impasse over the regulated Container Administrative Charge (CAC) at Ghana’s ports.

The Association says reports that some shipping lines and their agents are charging above the approved ceiling are increasing the cost of doing business and creating uncertainty for importers and exporters.

According to the IEAG, the current regulatory ceiling for the Container Administrative Charge, also known as the local handling charge, is GH¢720 per Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) for both import and export containers.

The Association noted that the directive remains valid and has been reinforced by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, which has instructed shipping lines and their agents to comply with the approved charge.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, IEAG President Samson Asaki Awingobit expressed concern that some shipping lines continue to impose charges above the regulatory ceiling.

“The IEAG is concerned that reports of some shipping lines continuing to impose charges above the approved ceiling have the potential to increase the cost of doing business at Ghana’s ports, create uncertainty for importers and exporters, and undermine ongoing efforts to make the country’s ports more competitive,” the Association said.

The IEAG is therefore urging the Transport Ministry to bring all key stakeholders together, including the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, shipping lines, shipping agents, freight forwarders, importers, exporters and other relevant port operators.

The Association believes that a broad stakeholder engagement will help resolve the dispute before it affects port operations and international trade.

“We respectfully appeal to the Honorable Minister for Transport to convene an urgent stakeholder meeting involving the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, shipping lines, shipping agents, freight forwarders, importers and exporters, and other relevant port stakeholders to resolve the impasse,” the IEAG said.

Concerns Over Tema Port Congestion

The call comes as the Association also raises concerns about persistent container congestion at the Tema Port, which it says is contributing to vehicular and trade traffic within the port enclave and surrounding areas.

The IEAG has asked the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to consider using spaces currently leased to private businesses for additional container terminal facilities once selected leases expire.

According to the Association, expanding terminal capacity could improve cargo-handling efficiency, reduce congestion and facilitate the movement of goods and vehicles.

The IEAG has also called for enhanced security at the port to support the government’s 24-hour economy policy, following what it described as an isolated attack on transporters and individuals offloading cargo.

Call for Improved Digital Port Services

On digital services, the Association is urging the Ghana Revenue Authority to strengthen its payment and digital platforms after a reported week-long disruption of government digital services at the port.

Despite these concerns, the IEAG reaffirmed its support for the Publican Artificial Intelligence Trade Solution, saying the system has contributed to improvements in customs valuation and revenue mobilisation.

The Association said the system increased assessed customs collections by more than US$300 million between the pilot phase and the rollout period ending July 17, 2026. It added that approximately 366,000 import declarations had been analysed.

However, the IEAG is calling for improvements to the appeals process, the valuation database and stakeholder engagement to ensure legitimate importers receive timely redress when valuation disputes arise.

The Association stressed that an efficient port system must not only protect national revenue but also reduce the cost of doing business, facilitate the movement of goods, strengthen investor confidence and support sustainable economic growth.