Members of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), Customs House Agents, and other stakeholders in the trade sector gathered at the Cosco Shipping Line offices to protest what they view as exploitative fees in the shipping industry.
On Wednesday, GIFF President Stephen Adjokatcher pointed out that importers, exporters, and clearing agents are struggling with high charges, including fees for empty containers, container deposits, and administrative costs imposed by shipping lines for clearing goods at the port.
Adjokatcher added that shipping lines threatening to leave Ghana in response to the protests were making a mistake, stressing that other shipping companies were prepared to replace them and continue operating in the country.
In an interview with the media, the GIFF President shared his concerns further…”Why should we suffer because people in leadership who are supposed to regulate and control are doing things we don’t understand… if somebody feels the heat and fees and cannot bring his vessels into Ghana, people are waiting, standing by to bring their vessels so there is no fear of a shortage of containers or freight going high.”
He also mentioned that the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) has issued a letter of support endorsing their stance against unfair practices in Ghana.
“FIATA is saying what they are doing in Ghana is wrong, what they are doing in West Africa is wrong…Fortunately, the FIATA authority letter is in, the Minister of Transport has been served, the Minister of Trade and Industry has been served, Finance has also been served so now, all the lines are going to get copies,” he added.
The freight forwarders charged certain shipping lines with exploiting the industry, claiming that their actions were an abuse of authority.
They argued that these shipping lines, with their financial muscle, were using their power to monopolize the sector and push out local businesses.
According to the freight forwarders, these practices violate Section 43 (1) of the Customs Act, 2015 (Act 891), which designates the business of customs house agents to entities that are fully owned by indigenous Ghanaians and licensed by the Commissioner-General of Customs.
Below is a compilation of the demands made by the freight forwarders:
1. Abolishment of all arbitrary and unjustifiable fees, including local administrative charges, container cleaning fees, empty container fees, among others.
2. Abolishment of demurrage charges on weekends and holidays.
3. Negotiation of shipping lines’ charges with the Ghana Shippers’ Authority as required by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2190).
4. Refund of all unjustified fees previously collected from shippers and freight forwarders.
5. Provision of 24-hour services seven days a week by shipping lines to eliminate unnecessary delays and ensure the timely processing of goods, especially during weekends and public holidays.
6. Cessation of customs house brokerage services by shipping lines.
7. Cessation of the practice of charging fees in dollars.
The Coalition of Freight Forwarders in Ghana is looking forward to actions being taken by the shipping lines and all key stakeholders within the next fourteen (14) days.