GSA Calls for Continental Action Against Arbitrary Shipping Charges
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), Prof. Ransford Gyampo, is pushing for stronger continental collaboration against what he described as unfair and excessive charges in the shipping industry.
The call came during a working visit to the GSA in Accra by the Secretary General of the Union of African Shippers’ Councils (UASC), Abba Kafougou Abdourahamane, ahead of the Union’s Steering Committee meeting set for Ghana in July 2026.
African businesses are facing rising costs from a maze of fees and charges imposed after cargo reaches the port, prompting calls for a coordinated continental response.
Industry players say charges levied by some international shipping lines are increasingly difficult to explain and harder to absorb.
The trend, they warn, is quietly inflating the cost of trade and weakening Africa’s competitiveness.
Prof. Gyampo said the absence of a united African front has weakened the continent’s bargaining power, making it harder to challenge arbitrary charges introduced by some global shipping operators.
He noted that the fragmented approach adopted by many African countries limits efforts to address unfair practices effectively.
He said Ghana has pursued measures to protect shippers through stakeholder engagements, regulatory interventions, and advocacy for transparency in shipping charges.
One such step is the recent decision to cap the Container Administrative Charge at GH¢720 per Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit.
The new arrangement, now in effect, replaces the previous charge of up to US$165 and converts the billing structure from dollars to cedis.
The intervention is expected to reduce volatility in cargo clearance costs and bring greater predictability to import and export transactions at the ports, particularly as businesses contend with rising operational expenses.
Prof. Gyampo stressed that Africa’s response must move beyond isolated national actions toward a coordinated continental strategy.
He urged the UASC to deepen collaboration with member states and support collective efforts to tackle the issue.
Responding, Mr Abdourahamane commended Ghana for its active role in the campaign against arbitrary shipping charges.
He described the country as “a giant” in Africa’s efforts to challenge unfair practices and assured the GSA of the UASC’s commitment to strengthening collaboration.
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