Importers demand emergency meeting over Tema port delays, rising charges

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has called on Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson to convene an emergency stakeholder meeting to address persistent shipping delays, container transfer disruptions and rising operational costs at the Tema Port.

The Association says delays in invoicing, payment processing and container releases are exposing businesses to additional demurrage, rent and storage charges, raising concerns about the efficiency of Ghana’s trade and supply chains.

In a statement dated October 19, 2026, IEAG Executive Secretary Samson Asaki Awingobit said urgent ministerial intervention was needed to establish accountability and implement practical solutions to the challenges.

The proposed meeting is expected to bring together the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), shipping lines, terminal operators, clearing and forwarding agents, and other stakeholders in the maritime industry.

“The matter therefore requires urgent ministerial attention and coordinated intervention rather than routine stakeholder engagements that do not produce measurable results,” the statement said.

The Association reported that some importers and exporters continue to experience delays in clearing cargo despite completing the required payments and documentation. It argues that businesses should not be made to bear unjustified costs resulting from service failures beyond their control.

Although IEAG acknowledges that demurrage, rent and storage charges serve legitimate commercial purposes, it insists that such charges must be transparent and consistent with applicable tariffs, contractual terms and the law.

The Association is therefore urging the Finance Minister to secure firm commitments from shipping lines on invoicing, payment processing, container release procedures and complaint resolution. It has also called on the GSA to investigate complaints and the GPHA to strengthen operational oversight.

IEAG has separately raised concerns about reported disruptions at Meridian Port Services (MPS) Terminal 3, where more than 120 trucks scheduled to transfer containers were reportedly delayed.

According to the Association, the disruption could increase truck turnaround times, interfere with haulage schedules and reduce the availability of trucks for other cargo movements. It has called for a transparent investigation to establish the causes of the delays and determine whether they have resulted in additional charges.

The Association also expressed concern over reports of a confrontation at the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) office at the Tema Port, during which an alleged assault was reported. It condemned violence and intimidation and called for an impartial investigation and appropriate action against anyone found culpable.

Beyond the reported incidents, IEAG is demanding stricter enforcement of Service Level Agreements covering shipping-line services, terminal operations, invoicing, payment processing, container releases and cargo transfers.

It wants the agreements to establish clear performance standards, turnaround times, complaint procedures and remedies for service failures, alongside effective monitoring to ensure shipping lines and terminal operators meet their obligations.

“Accountability in the maritime sector must be reciprocal,” the statement said.

IEAG maintains that the proposed emergency meeting should produce concrete decisions, clearly assigned responsibilities and firm implementation deadlines to address the challenges and prevent further disruptions to port operations.