Importers want emergency meeting with Finance Minister over Tema Port delays, rising charges

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has called on Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson to convene an emergency stakeholder meeting to address persistent shipping delays, container transfer disruptions and rising operational costs at the Tema Port.

The Association warned that delays in shipping invoices, payment processing and container releases were increasing demurrage, rent and storage charges for businesses, potentially undermining Ghana’s trade efficiency and supply-chain reliability.

In a statement dated October 19, 2026, IEAG Executive Secretary Samson Asaki Awingobit said urgent ministerial intervention was needed to establish accountability and develop practical solutions to the challenges confronting port users.

The proposed meeting is expected to bring together the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), shipping lines, terminal operators, clearing and forwarding agents, and other industry stakeholders.

IEAG wants the meeting to identify the causes of the delays, determine responsibility for operational failures and establish firm deadlines for resolving the problems.

“The matter therefore requires urgent ministerial attention and coordinated intervention rather than routine stakeholder engagements that do not produce measurable results,” the statement said.

IEAG said some importers and exporters were experiencing delays in clearing their cargo even after completing the required payments and documentation.

The Association explained that such delays could expose businesses to additional demurrage, rent and storage charges, increasing the overall cost of importing and transporting goods.

Although it acknowledged that these charges serve legitimate commercial and operational purposes, IEAG insisted that they must be transparent and consistent with applicable tariffs, contractual terms and the law.

It argued that businesses should not be forced to bear unjustified costs resulting from service failures beyond their control.

The Association is urging the Finance Minister to secure firm commitments from shipping lines on invoicing, payment processing, container release procedures and complaint resolution.

It has also called on the GSA to investigate complaints and take appropriate action within its mandate, while urging the GPHA to strengthen operational oversight and work with terminal operators to eliminate bottlenecks.

The Association has separately raised concerns about reported disruptions at Meridian Port Services (MPS) Terminal 3, where more than 120 trucks scheduled to transfer containers were reportedly delayed.

According to IEAG, the disruption could increase truck turnaround times, reduce equipment utilisation and interfere with haulage schedules.

The resulting delays could leave fewer trucks available for other cargo movements, creating further bottlenecks across the port's logistics chain.

IEAG has also questioned whether the reported disruption is contributing to additional rent, storage and related charges for businesses.

However, the Association acknowledged that the allegations had not been independently established and called for a transparent investigation to determine the causes of the disruption and establish the basis for any charges imposed.

It wants the GPHA to work with MPS and other stakeholders to establish responsibility and introduce measures to prevent similar incidents.

The Association has also expressed concern over reports of a confrontation at the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) office at the Tema Port, during which an alleged assault was reported.

IEAG condemned violence, intimidation and unlawful conduct, calling for an impartial investigation and appropriate action against anyone found culpable.

It said the reported incident should also prompt a broader review of operational grievances affecting port users, including prolonged delays, rising charges and difficulties accessing shipping services.

The Association warned that unresolved complaints and mounting financial pressures could increase tensions between service providers and customers, potentially leading to further disruptions in port operations.

IEAG is calling for a review and stricter enforcement of Service Level Agreements governing shipping-line services, terminal operations, invoicing, payment processing, container releases and cargo transfers.

It wants the agreements to establish measurable performance standards, turnaround times, clear responsibilities, complaint escalation procedures and remedies for service failures.

The Association has also called for transparent performance monitoring, effective complaints mechanisms and fair treatment of additional charges.

It maintains that shipping lines and terminal operators should be held accountable for meeting their service obligations, just as shippers are expected to comply with container-return deadlines and other contractual requirements.

“Accountability in the maritime sector must be reciprocal,” the statement said.

IEAG insists that the proposed emergency meeting must produce clear decisions, assign responsibilities, establish implementation deadlines and introduce a mechanism for monitoring progress.

The Association believes that coordinated action by the Finance Ministry, the GSA, the GPHA, shipping lines and terminal operators is necessary to address the reported operational challenges.

Resolving the issues, it said, would help improve port efficiency, contain avoidable business costs and protect Ghana’s competitiveness as a regional trading hub.

The outcome of the proposed engagement could be significant for importers, exporters, haulage operators and other businesses that depend on efficient cargo handling and predictable shipping services at the Tema Port.