The High Court in Accra has affirmed the regulatory powers of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) and ordered a shipping service provider to comply with a directive to refund excess charges paid by a shipper.
The ruling was delivered on July 8, 2026, in the case of Ghana Shippers’ Authority v Maxwell Edzeame (Proprietor of MSG Freight & Cargo Services), Suit No. GJ/0593/2026.
The court directed MSG Freight & Cargo Services, a consolidator, to comply with the GSA’s refund directive under Section 47 of the Ghana Shippers Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122).
The case followed a dispute over the exchange rate used to calculate storage charges.
The GSA said MSG failed to apply the applicable commercial exchange rate of its commercial bankers. As a result, the affected shipper paid excess storage charges.
The GSA subsequently directed MSG to refund the excess amount to the shipper.
MSG did not comply with the directive. The Authority then sought enforcement before the High Court.
The court’s decision provides judicial backing for the GSA’s authority to enforce its regulatory directives under the Ghana Shippers Authority Act, 2024.
The Authority said the ruling reinforces its mandate to protect the interests of shippers and other stakeholders in Ghana’s shipping and logistics sector.
It also stressed the obligation of service providers to comply with lawful directives issued by the regulator.
The GSA has since reminded companies operating in the shipping and logistics industry to comply with regulatory requirements governing charges and commercial transactions with shippers.
The Authority said: “Where a Service Provider is found to have imposed charges contrary to applicable statutory directives, GSA will take appropriate regulatory measures in accordance with law.”
The case also highlights the importance of applying the correct commercial exchange rate when calculating shipping and logistics charges.
The GSA said the ruling supports its broader objective of promoting transparency and fairness in the shipping sector.
“As the regulator of the commercial shipping sector, GSA remains committed to promoting transparency, predictability, fairness and consistency in shipping and logistics transactions,” the Authority said.
The GSA added that it would continue to enforce the regulatory framework under the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122) to protect the legitimate interests of stakeholders in the sector.
For shipping service providers, the ruling is a reminder that lawful regulatory directives issued by the GSA can be enforced through the courts when companies fail to comply.
Read the statement below:
