The Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority (GPHA) is kicking against moves by some shipping lines operating at the ports to implement new Terminal Handling Charges.
Shipping lines such as Mearsk, Arkas Lines and others have argued that the low rates of freight payment has necessitated the increase.
But the Head of Public Relations at the authority, Paul Ansah, believes shipping lines cannot charge such fees as they are not mandated to do so.
Speaking to Citi News he said, “When you introduce new charges, you must introduce new service to justify the charge that you are introducing but when the services are already being offered and payment is being made, through freight and stevedoring charges is covered by the freight that shippers pay.”
His comments come on the back of similar concerns by an association of key business organizations comprising the Association of Ghana Industries-AGI, Ghana National Chamber of Commerce-GNCC, Ghana Chamber of Mines, Federation of Association of Ghanaian Exporters-FAGE, Ghana Union of Traders Association-GUTA, and the Greater Accra Regional Shipper Communities.
Mr. Ansah added that the Ghana Shippers Authority must be robust in calling the shipping lines to order.
“I would expect that the Ghana Shippers Authority will be very emphatic with them because it looks like the Ghanaian Shippers are being taken for a ride and I think we must be firm about it and all stakeholders must join hands to confront this anomaly’.”
Per the proposed charges, shippers will have to pay $140 to $155 for a 20 footer container whiles $260 to $275 for a 40 footer container.
Source: citifmonline.com
