Government has waived all demurrages and rent charges incurred by importers and all other ports users during the COVID-19 partial lockdown between March 30 and April 19, as part of a relief package for shippers.
The Ghana Shippers' Authority (GSA) has, therefore, reminded importers, cargo owners, freight forwarders and all other ports users that any further delays in clearing their goods, would not be covered by the waiver.
Mr Fred Asiedu-Dartey, Head of Freight and Logistics at the GSA, during a media encounter in Accra, said the GSA had held several engagements with shipping lines, shipping agents and importers to explain the penalty waivers following agitations by some players in the shipping industry.
He expressed the Authority's unwaivering commitment to promoting and protecting the interests of shippers at all time.
He said following a meeting held on April 24, MAERSK Ghana Limited, a leading container terminal operator, and Meridian Ports Services, agreed to waive off all demurrages and rent charges incurred by importers during the lockdown.
The directive for the suspension of all applicable time-related penalties in the clearance of cargo at the ports was issued by the Transport Minister, Kwaku Ofori-Asiama effective, March 30 to April 19, 2020.
Mr Asiedu-Dartey was of the opinion that the law regulating the activities of shippers in the country should be reviewed and amended to be in tune with contemporary shipping activities globally.
Source: GNA
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This is truly funny . Was the waiver just for 3 weeks ???????????? I can’t believe my ears .who is the president and the government trying to deceive with this kro-kro-the John kind of policy???????? Eiiiiiiiiii,you’ve blocked people from returning to Ghana to clear their goods, and yet you’ve waived demurrage for that short period???? Mr president thousands of importers cannot return home to clear their goods for no fault of theirs,so you can’t hold them up and down so to speak.you are the one who closed the borders and you’re responsible for what is going on.If importers wanting to come back home to clear their goods cannot come then shipping lines must not be allowed to what suits them.that will be highly unfair. It’s taken years of hard work for people to raise the little capital they now have and using it to feed their family,don’t let them loose it on your account
President Nana Addo, you're truly a great man and a wonderful father. Thank you very much for your intervention cause some of us would have left our containers in the Harbour. My own is still there because I have to pay about 30,000 ghana cedis for demurrage and rent apart from the duty and others. You've lifted a heavy burden on our heads. May the Almighty God continues to protect you from the evil eyes, give you more wisdom to govern our country and also bless you above all measures. Once again daddy thank you so much