The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has welcomed the High Court’s decision to uphold the Ghana Shippers’ Authority’s (GSA) Container Administrative Charge (CAC) Regulatory Directive, describing the ruling as a major victory for regulatory compliance and Ghana’s trading community.
The ruling dismissed an interlocutory injunction application filed by the Ship Owners and Agents Association of Ghana (SOAAG) together with some shipping lines, which sought to halt the implementation of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority’s directive issued on May 11, 2026. According to IEAG, the decision means the directive remains lawful, valid and fully enforceable.
In a statement signed by its President, Samson Asaki Awingobit, the Association said the ruling brings clarity to the regulation of Container Administrative Charges at Ghana’s ports. It noted that importers and exporters have for years been burdened by what it described as excessive administrative charges imposed by some shipping lines, increasing the cost of doing business.
IEAG said the Ghana Shippers’ Authority introduced an interim regulatory cap of GH¢720 per Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) after consultations with stakeholders to provide immediate relief to businesses while work continues on establishing a final regulated charge.
The Association, however, alleged that despite the directive, some shipping lines continued to collect Container Administrative Charges above the approved ceiling from importers and exporters.
Following the court’s ruling, IEAG called on the Ghana Shippers’ Authority to immediately enforce the directive and ensure full compliance by all shipping lines and agents operating at the country’s ports.
The Association also demanded that all shipping lines and agents that collected Container Administrative Charges exceeding GH¢720 per TEU from May 11, 2026, should refund the excess amounts to affected importers and exporters. It further proposed that, where necessary, the excess funds be paid into an account designated by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority to facilitate transparent verification and reimbursement.
IEAG argued that allowing shipping lines to retain monies collected above the approved ceiling would undermine confidence in Ghana’s regulatory framework and reward non-compliance. It therefore urged the Ghana Shippers’ Authority to invoke the enforcement powers provided under the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122), against any shipping line or agent found to have deliberately breached the directive.
The Association further appealed to the Ministry of Transport to provide the Ghana Shippers’ Authority with the legal, institutional and political support needed to effectively regulate the shipping industry and protect the interests of importers and exporters.
Reaffirming its commitment to reforms aimed at reducing the cost of doing business, promoting transparency at the ports and improving Ghana’s trade competitiveness, IEAG described the High Court’s decision as an important step towards ensuring that regulatory directives are respected by all players in the shipping and logistics sector.
By Citizen. Kofi Owusu