Freight Forwarders, Customs agents issue 14-day ultimatum to shipping lines

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The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIIF), Customs agents, and other concerned stakeholders have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the various shipping lines across the country to respond to their petition or face consistent demonstrations.

The groups marched to some shipping lines in Tema, such as the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Limited and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), on Tuesday, September 24, to highlight their concerns over exploitative charges at the ports.

Addressing a press conference after the protest, a past president of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders, Kwabena Ofosu Appiah, enumerated several issues that needed to be resolved or face a resumption of another protest.

“We expect positive action on the demands we have made within the next fourteen (14) days, and we count on the cooperation of all shipping lines and relevant authorities in that regard. Our next line of action will be determined by what happens within this period.”

The group expressed its commitment to ensuring that commerce in Ghana is conducted in adherence to the highest standards and that services provided are efficient, fair, and cost-effective.

GIFF is demanding immediate and decisive remedial action on the following:

  1. Abolishment of all arbitrary and unjustifiable fees, including local administrative charges, container cleaning fees, and empty container fees, among others.
  2. Abolishment of demurrage charges on weekends and
  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
  7. Cessation of the practice of charging fees in dollars.

 

By: Daniel Oduro

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