Stakeholders in Ghana’s shipping and maritime industry and its partner agencies have kicked against a new Terminal Handling Charge (THC) to be introduced by some Shipping Lines and their agents adding that “The THC is currently already embodied in the ocean freight that shippers pay to shipping lines, and consequently its introduction as a local charge amounts to a duplicated payment which is unfair and illegitimate.”
In a statement signed representatives of 8 key players in the industry rejected the proposed charge. The include the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Ghana Chamber of Mines (GCM), Ghana National Chamber of Commerce (GNCC), Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE), Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Greater Accra Regional Shipper Committee (GARSC), Ghana Root Crops and Tubers Exporters Union (GRCTEU) and the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF).
Below is the full statement:
Shippers Reject Proposed Terminal Handling Charges By Shipping Lines and their Agents in Ghana.
We the leadership of key business associations comprising the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Ghana National Chamber of Commerce (GNCC), Ghana Chamber of Mines, Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE),Ghana Union of Traders Associations (GUTA) and the Greater Accra Regional Shipper Committee (GARSC), representing a critical mass of shippers (importers and exporters) and traders in the country
Having heard about the impending introduction of a Terminal Handling Charge (THC) by some Shipping Lines and their Agents, met on 26th July 2016 at the AGI secretariat in Accra to discuss the proposed THC, and after thoroughly deliberating on the enormous negative impact such an action would have on shippers in Ghana and on the national economy as a whole, appreciative of the efforts of the Government towards reducing the cost of doing business in our ports through infrastructure investments and trade facilitation measures, noting the myriad of shipping lines’ local charges that shippers have to grapple with on a daily basis in the clearance of their goods in our ports, knowing that the introduction of such a charge would be injurious to our survival and business competitiveness,
DO HEREBY declare that:
1. Shippers and other stakeholders in Ghana collectively and unequivocally reject the proposed Terminal Handling Charge (THC) by some shipping lines operating to and from the seaports of Ghana.
2. The THC is currently already embodied in the ocean freight that shippers pay to shipping lines, and consequently its introduction as a local charge amounts to a duplicated payment which is unfair and illegitimate.
3. The payment of THC as an isolated local charge to the shipping lines is completely alien to the practice of shipping in Ghana, since Terminal Operators already charge Shippers the THC for cargo handling services provided.
4. If introduced, the THC will cost the already burdened Ghanaian shippers over USD 78 million per year and, knowing the history of these local charges, this figure will definitely increase astronomically over time.
5. We are craving Government’s indulgence to intervene in this injustice against the people of Ghana, since this is completely unjustifiable and will only bring undue cost to businesses.
6. Government must caution the following shipping companies who have given notice of the introduction of the THC in Ghana:
a. Pacific International Line (PIL)
b. Maersk Line
c. Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)
d. CMA CGM
e. Arkas Lines
f. UASC
7. Government must take a firm action on this matter, including the denial of entry into the ports of Ghana to the shipping companies that insist on imposing the THC in Ghana.
8. The participants welcomed the candid and positive discussions and agreed to continue to meet regularly to review the situation and other issues that affect their businesses as and when necessary.
By 3news.com|Ghana
Twitter: @3newsgh