Shippers to protest continuous THC implementation

Players in Ghana's shipping sector are planning a protest against the continuous implementation of Terminal Handling Charges (THC) by the by Shipping lines.

With the new charges, shippers would have to pay between 140 and 155 dollars for a 20-footer container, and 260 to 275 dollars for a 40-footer.

The body says the payment of THC is a duplication of payments as their freight charges covers the THC.

The payment of the THC will mean that shippers would have to cough out about $78 million per year, if it persists.

According the stakeholders, even after the Ministry of Transport on September 2, 2016, issued a directive for shipping companies in the country to stop charging the THC, some continue to flout the directive.

Some of the shipping companies include, International Shipping Agency Ghana, MSC Ghana Limited, Intermodal Shipping Agency, PIL Ghana Limited, MESK Ghana among others.

Shippers, both importers and exporters, have vowed to the resist the Terminal Handling Charge (THC), which some shipping lines operating in the seaports of Ghana are charging locally.

At a news conference on Thursday, September 27, the body asked members to raise hand written protest before they issue any money in connection with the THC.

Members who have already paid have been directed to seek refunds from the shipping lines.

The body leading the charge, comprises of the leadership of the AGI, Ghana National Chamber of Commerce, Ghana Chamber of Mines, Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters, Ghana Union of Traders Associations and Private Enterprise Federation.

The rest are Ghana Root Crops and Tubers Exporters Union, Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders, and the Greater Accra Regional Shippers Committee.

They added that, the THC will continue to increase the ever rising shipping cost in Ghana until all efforts to ensure its total abolishment see the light of day.