Traders, freight forwarders kick against reintroduction of ECTN/SPN

A coalition of trade and logistics stakeholders has strongly rejected moves to reintroduce the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note and Shipped Pre-Notification system, commonly known as ECTN/SPN, describing the initiative as an unjustified cost burden on traders.

In a press release dated April 4, 2026, the Coalition of Concerned Importers and Exporters, Traders and Freight Forwarders said it had taken note of renewed mobilisation efforts by the Inter-Ocean Maritime and Logistics Institute and the Ghana Shippers' Authority toward the implementation of the ECTN/SPN, including what it described as a "purported pilot exercise."

The coalition said it remains firmly opposed to the initiative in any form, arguing that its proponents have failed to demonstrate any clear benefits to the trading community.

"The proponents of the ECTN/SPN have, to date, failed to provide the slightest justification for the project or demonstrate, with clarity and evidence, how the initiative will deliver the outcomes it purports to achieve," the statement read.

The group also accused the Ghana Shippers' Authority and Inter-Ocean Maritime Logistics Institute of deliberately timing the push to coincide with a period when the trade community is heavily preoccupied with addressing the defective implementation of Publican AI in customs processing.

According to the coalition, the move was an attempt to slip the initiative through under the radar.

Ghana Shippers' Authority justifies enforcement of new shipping law

The coalition further recalled that the Ghana Shippers' Authority had previously been compelled to withdraw the ECTN/SPN following its inability to justify the initiative to stakeholders.

It will be recalled that the Ghana Shippers' Authority was previously compelled to withdraw the implementation of the project following the inability of the project implementers to demonstrate, in clear and credible terms, the benefits of the initiative to the trading community.

“Any attempt to reintroduce the project under any circumstances, without addressing these fundamental deficiencies, would constitute a serious breach of public trust,” the statement added.

Urging the Ghana Shippers' Authority to remain faithful to its mandate of protecting shippers' interests, the coalition called for the immediate withdrawal of all activities relating to the ECTN/SPN implementation.

It, however, warned that should its concerns continue to be ignored, it would explore all lawful avenues to protect its members and the wider trading community.

ID/AE

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