The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has called on the Minister for Finance to convene an emergency meeting with key maritime industry stakeholders to address persistent shipping-line delays, terminal disruptions and mounting financial losses at the Tema Port.
In a press statement issued on October 19, 2026, and signed by its Executive Secretary, Samson Asaki Awingobit, the Association said delays in invoicing, payment processing and container release, alongside reported disruptions at Meridian Port Services (MPS) Terminal 3, were imposing additional costs on businesses and disrupting supply chains.
The IEAG wants the proposed meeting to involve the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), shipping lines, terminal operators, clearing and forwarding agents, freight forwarders and other relevant stakeholders.
According to the Association, the meeting should identify the causes of the delays, establish responsibility for reported operational failures, agree on immediate relief measures for affected businesses and set enforceable timelines for resolving the challenges.
The Association expressed concern that delays in issuing invoices, confirming payments and releasing containers could prevent importers and other shippers from clearing their cargo within expected timeframes.
It said affected businesses could incur additional demurrage, rent, storage and related charges even after meeting the relevant payment and documentation requirements.
The IEAG argued that businesses should not be left to bear the financial consequences of service failures beyond their control.
While acknowledging that legitimate demurrage, rent and storage charges serve recognised commercial and operational purposes, the Association insisted that such charges must be applied transparently and in accordance with applicable tariffs, contractual terms and the law.
It called for shipping lines to commit to clear timelines for invoicing, payment processing and container release, alongside effective complaint-resolution procedures and appropriate remedies where service failures are established.
The Association also urged the GSA to investigate complaints and take appropriate measures within its statutory mandate to protect shippers’ interests.
It called on the GPHA to strengthen oversight of port operations within its jurisdiction and work with terminal operators to address bottlenecks affecting cargo movement.
The IEAG also expressed concern over reports of a confrontation at the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) office at the Tema Port, during which an alleged assault was reported.
The Association condemned violence, intimidation and unlawful conduct, calling for an impartial investigation into the incident and appropriate action against anyone found culpable.
However, it said the incident should also prompt an examination of the wider operational challenges facing port users, including prolonged delays, rising charges and difficulties accessing essential shipping services.
The Association warned that unresolved grievances could increase tensions between service providers and their customers, potentially leading to injuries, property damage and further disruptions to port operations.
It urged the authorities to address both the immediate security concerns and the underlying operational problems to prevent further confrontations.
The Association further raised concerns about reported operational delays at MPS Terminal 3, where more than 120 trucks scheduled to transfer containers were reportedly affected by issues attributed to terminal operations.
According to the IEAG, such disruptions could prolong truck turnaround times, increase the cost of container movements, disrupt haulage schedules and reduce the availability of trucks for other cargo operations.
The Association said the precise causes of the reported disruptions and the responsibility of the parties involved must be established through a transparent, evidence-based investigation.
It also raised concerns about claims and suspicions among affected stakeholders that prolonged delays could contribute to the accumulation of rent, storage and other charges.
The Association acknowledged that these claims had not been independently established.
It therefore called on the GPHA, working with MPS and other relevant stakeholders, to investigate the delays and clarify the basis for any additional charges imposed on affected port users.
The IEAG said the recurring challenges highlighted the need to review and enforce applicable Service Level Agreements (SLAs) covering shipping-line services, terminal operations, invoicing, payment processing, container release and cargo transfer.
It proposed that the emergency meeting prioritise clear service timelines, investigations into service failures, fair treatment of additional charges, effective enforcement of service agreements, transparent performance monitoring, functional complaints mechanisms and operational contingency arrangements.
The Association argued that accountability in the maritime sector must be reciprocal, with shippers expected to meet their obligations while shipping lines and terminal operators are equally held responsible for the services they are required to provide.
It stressed that it was not opposed to legitimate commercial charges but insisted that they must be administered fairly and transparently, taking the circumstances of each transaction into account.
The IEAG described the Tema Port as a critical gateway for Ghana’s international trade, noting that its operational efficiency affects import costs, export competitiveness, supply-chain reliability and business confidence.
It warned that continued delays, unresolved complaints and avoidable charges could place additional pressure on businesses and undermine confidence in the country’s port system.
The Association said the proposed meeting should produce concrete decisions, clear deadlines, assigned responsibilities and a mechanism for monitoring implementation rather than ending with routine consultations without measurable results.
It also called for the findings of relevant investigations and agreed corrective measures to be communicated transparently to affected stakeholders.
“The time for urgent intervention is now,” the Association stated, urging the Finance Minister to initiate the necessary measures to restore operational efficiency, protect legitimate commercial interests and prevent further escalation of tensions at the Tema Port.
