Over 200 cargoes imported into the country are locked up at the Tema Port as their owners have refused to pay terminal handling charges being demanded by shipping lines.

Although the Transport Ministry has ordered the suspension of the charges, the shippers are still billing importers, something that is inconveniencing traders who are reluctant to pay the said charges.

The shipping lines are reportedly charging 150 dollars for a 20-footer container and 300 for a 40-footer one.

“It’s affecting the trade in the sense that some of the importers are not willing to pay so their cargo are hanging. This is resulting in high demurrage and a lot of cost and rent,”  one freight forwarder, Catherine told 3FM

She said the shipping lines have not given them any explanations  as to why they have continued to charge for the handling fees notwithstanding the order  from the Transport Ministry to suspend it.

“If you don’t pay they don’t release your cargo and it’s not possible cutting [sic] trade with them. They have not explained to us why they are doing it. It is really affecting us”, she explained

Meanwhile the affected persons have called on the Transport Ministry to intervene in resolving the issue since the directive to suspend the charges came from there.

Etornam Sey|3FM|3news.com|Ghana