The Tema High Court has imposed a GH¢54,000 fine on 18 shipping lines for failing to comply with legal timelines in a high-profile case filed by Johnny Mantey, the Tema District Chair of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF).
Filed on January 21, 2025, the lawsuit accuses the shipping lines of violating provisions of the Shipping Authority Act 1122. The Act requires all shipping service charges to be submitted to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) for prior approval — a requirement the plaintiff alleges the defendants disregarded
Represented by legal counsel Noah Adamtey, Mr. Mantey contends that the defendants’ actions undermine regulatory oversight and transparency in Ghana’s maritime trade sector.
The 18 shipping companies entered a conditional appearance on January 31, 2025. However, they failed to file a motion to strike out the writ within the mandatory 14-day window. Their appearance, therefore, became unconditional — obligating them to file a formal defence within another 14 days. That, too, was not done.
In response, the plaintiff filed a motion on March 14, 2025, requesting a default judgment due to the defendants’ failure to meet the statutory deadline. The motion was scheduled for hearing on March 27, 2025.
At the hearing, however, the plaintiff’s legal team strategically opted to withdraw the motion. The court, presided over by Justice Cynthia Wiredu, granted the withdrawal but did not let the defendants off the hook. She imposed a total cost of GH¢54,000 on the 18 shipping lines for their procedural delays.
Speaking after the ruling, Lawyer Adamtey stated that the plaintiff would now file a response to the late defence submissions, paving the way for the case to proceed on its substantive merits.
The case has since attracted attention within the freight forwarding and maritime industry, as stakeholders closely watch for the court’s interpretation of regulatory compliance under the Shipping Authority Act.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson # ahotoronline.com
