On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, members of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), Customs House Agents and others in the trading community stormed the premises of Cosco Shipping Line to express their dissatisfaction with what they perceive as exploitative charges in their industry.
The President of the Association, Stephen Adjokatcher, highlighted that importers, exporters, and clearing agents are facing burdensome charges such as empty container fees, container deposits, and administrative fees imposed by these shipping lines for goods clearance at the port.
Adjokatcher mentioned that shipping lines threatening to leave Ghana due to the protests were doing so at their own risk, emphasising that other shipping lines were ready to bring their vessels to Ghana.
Speaking to GhanaWeb's Ernestina Serwaa Asante, the President of GIFF said, "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 noted that the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) has given a letter of authority backing their calls against harsh 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 accused some shipping lines of engaging in exploitative practices in the industry.
They argued that this behavior was an abuse of power, as these shipping lines had the financial resources to dominate the sector and squeeze out local businesses.
These actions taken by these shipping lines, the freight forwarders said, were in violation of Section 43 (1) of the Customs Act, 2015 (Act 891).
The Act reserves the business of the customs house agent to entities that are wholly owned by indigenous Ghanaians 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.
SA/MA
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