Importers and freight forwarders operating at the Tema Port are raising alarm over escalating demurrage fees, which have reached a staggering $140 per container daily. The delays in clearing goods, attributed to inefficiencies in port operations, are leaving businesses grappling with mounting losses and dwindling profits.
The frustration is palpable as importers recount the financial strain. “Every day my goods sit at the port, I lose more money,” lamented one distressed importer. “The charges keep piling up, and with no resolution in sight, it’s becoming unsustainable to run my business.”
Demurrage fees, penalties incurred when containers remain at the port beyond the allotted free time, have become a crushing burden. Importers warn that these charges not only erode their profits but also threaten the survival of small and medium-scale enterprises.
Stakeholders, including the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), are demanding urgent intervention. GIFF has called for a comprehensive overhaul of port operations to streamline processes and mitigate the delays. The inefficiencies, they argue, are not just a problem for importers but a significant threat to the national economy.
“Efficient port operations are the backbone of trade and commerce,” emphasized a representative from GIFF. “If we fail to address these bottlenecks, we risk crippling the very system that supports our economy.”
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has acknowledged the concerns and assured stakeholders of ongoing efforts to resolve the situation. In a brief statement, GPHA pledged to implement reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing delays.
However, for importers who are already stretched thin, promises are not enough. “We need immediate action,” urged a clearing agent. “Every day of inaction costs businesses millions and puts livelihoods at risk.”
As the financial toll continues to rise, the cry for change grows louder. For now, the port remains a bottleneck, with every passing day adding to the mounting costs—one container, one dollar, one moment of frustration at a time.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson #ahotoronline.com
