Port charges to go down soon – GPHA

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has said charges at the port will be reduced soon as a result of ongoing reforms.

The paperless system and the Tema Port Expansion project are the two major reforms ongoing at the port.

The Tema port expansion project when completed is expected to be the largest cargo port in West Africa with a capacity of 3.5 million 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) per annum.

Speaking at an event organised by the women’s wing of GPHA to thank God for her appointment, the Acting Director of Tema Port, Sandra Opoku said the expansion will ensure a quicker turn around for cargo in the port.

She said: “Importers or even exporters when they come to our port, we take those cargo from our port effortlessly so that they don’t have to stay here and we don’t need their containers to be on demurrage; so that the charges at the port will be reduced and also Freight charges will be reduced.

“When we know that when you bring your containers here, you bring your vessels here, there will be a short turnaround time for you, definitely the shipping lines will also look at bringing down the freight charges to Tema port.”

Her comment follows concerns from the business community about high taxes at the ports which is affecting businesses.