The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) is calling on the Minister for Transport to convene an urgent stakeholder meeting to resolve an impasse over the regulated Container Administrative Charge (CAC) at Ghana’s ports, amid reports that some shipping lines and their agents are charging above the approved ceiling.
The Association says such practices are increasing the cost of doing business and creating uncertainty for importers and exporters, despite the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) having secured court backing for the cap .
The Disputed Charge
According to the IEAG, the current regulatory ceiling for the Container Administrative Charge—also known as the local handling charge—is GH¢720 per Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) for both import and export containers . The GSA issued this directive on May 11, 2026, and its validity was reinforced by a High Court ruling on July 10, 2026, which dismissed an application by the Ship Owners and Agents Association of Ghana (SOAAG) to restrain its enforcement .
The Court held that the directive had already taken effect upon issuance and that granting the injunction would impede the GSA’s statutory regulatory mandate . The GSA has since directed all shipping lines and their agents to comply fully, warning that non-compliance would attract enforcement measures under Sections 36 and 47 of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122) .
Association’s Concerns
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, the IEAG President, Samson Asaki Awingobit, said the association is concerned that some shipping lines continue to impose charges above the regulatory ceiling despite the court ruling.
“The IEAG is concerned that reports of some shipping lines continuing to impose charges above the approved ceiling have the potential to increase the cost of doing business at Ghana’s ports, create uncertainty for importers and exporters, and undermine ongoing efforts to make the country’s ports more competitive,” the Association said.
This follows earlier concerns raised in May 2026, when the IEAG welcomed the postponement of a revised CAC from May 1 to July 1, 2026, to allow for broader consultations with stakeholders . Awingobit had previously urged shipping lines such as Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Company to comply with regulations requiring them to evacuate empty containers in proportion to incoming cargo volumes .
Demand for Stakeholder Engagement
The IEAG is urging the Transport Ministry to bring all key stakeholders to the table, including the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, shipping lines, shipping agents, freight forwarders, importers and exporters. The Association believes such engagement will help prevent the dispute from affecting port operations and international trade.
“We respectfully appeal to the Honorable Minister for Transport to convene an urgent stakeholder meeting involving the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, shipping lines, shipping agents, freight forwarders, importers and exporters, and other relevant port stakeholders to resolve the impasse,” the IEAG said.
The call comes amid a broader context of regulatory tension in the sector. Some industry sources suggest that terminal operators have argued that rising operational overheads and energy costs justify flexible pricing, but the Ministry of Transport has maintained that the cap stands to protect the national economy from runaway inflation . The GSA has also deployed specialized compliance task forces across major entry points to audit invoices in real-time and urged port users to report inflated billing to its newly established maritime complaints desk .
Additional Concerns: Port Congestion
The call also comes as the Association raises concerns over persistent container congestion at the Tema Port, which it says is contributing to vehicular and trade traffic within the port enclave and adjoining areas. The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has acknowledged the congestion, attributing it partly to a major increase in import traffic, the movement of empty containers for export, and road congestion around the port area .
In response, GPHA has activated enhanced operational measures, working with shipping lines and terminal operators to accelerate the evacuation of empty containers through increased vessel calls, improved truck deployment, and strengthened container transfer operations . The Authority has also appealed to importers, clearing agents and cargo owners to expedite the clearance of their consignments to help create additional space within the port .
The IEAG is asking the GPHA to consider using some spaces currently leased to private businesses for the development of additional container terminal facilities when selected leases expire. It says additional capacity could improve cargo handling efficiency, reduce congestion and facilitate the movement of goods and vehicles.
Port Security and Digital Services
The Association has also called for stronger security at the port to support the government’s 24-hour economy policy, following what it describes as a recent isolated attack on transporters and individuals offloading cargo. It has urged security agencies to strengthen patrols, surveillance and rapid-response measures within the port enclave .
On digital services, the IEAG wants the Ghana Revenue Authority to strengthen its payment and digital platforms after a reported week-long disruption of government digital services at the port.
Support for Publican AI
Despite these concerns, the Association reaffirmed its support for the Publican Artificial Intelligence Trade Solution, saying the system has improved customs valuation and revenue mobilisation. The system, which became fully operational at Ghana’s ports on March 12, 2026, has replaced subjective customs valuation processes with a technology-driven approach based on verified trade data, global price intelligence and risk indicators .
The IEAG said the system increased assessed customs collections by more than US73.44 million, representing a 25.7% uplift .
The Association said the figures demonstrated the potential of technology to improve domestic revenue mobilisation without imposing new taxes.
However, it wants authorities to strengthen the appeals process, improve the valuation database and deepen stakeholder engagement to ensure that legitimate importers receive timely redress in valuation disputes. The Association has also warned importers to independently verify duty assessments provided by freight forwarders and clearing agents, following complaints that some agents may be exploiting misunderstandings surrounding the Publican AI system to impose exaggerated charges .
Bottom Line
The Association says an efficient port system must not only protect national revenue but also reduce the cost of doing business, facilitate the movement of goods, enhance investor confidence and support economic growth. As the dispute over the CAC continues, the IEAG’s call for urgent stakeholder engagement underscores the growing tension between regulatory oversight and commercial interests in Ghana’s maritime sector.
