By Zobia Zulfqar 
Shippers have raised fresh concerns over persistent delays in the evacuation of containers from Meridian Port Services (MPS) Terminal 3 to Inland Container Depots (ICDs) at the Port of Tema, warning that the situation is disrupting business operations and driving up the cost of imports.
According to industry stakeholders, containers that should have been transferred to designated Inland Container Depots, including the Golden Jubilee Terminal (GJT), remain stranded at MPS Terminal 3 for extended periods, preventing importers from taking delivery of their cargo within the free storage period.
The concerns were highlighted during the Second Quarter Brokers and Trade Associations’ Shipper Committee meeting organised by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) in Accra.
The meeting brought together importers, exporters, freight forwarders, customs brokers, trade associations and representatives from the maritime, aviation, logistics, standards and communications sectors to discuss ongoing challenges affecting Ghana’s international trade.
Participants expressed frustration over the slow pace of container transfers from Terminal 3 to Inland Container Depots, describing the delays as a major obstacle to efficient cargo clearance.
According to the shippers, the prolonged waiting period means containers remain at the port long after all statutory clearance requirements have been completed.
They explained that although importers often fulfil customs procedures and regulatory obligations on time, delays in moving containers to the Inland Container Depots continue to prevent them from collecting their goods promptly.
As a result, importers are forced to pay additional charges that continue to accumulate while the containers remain at the terminal.
Stakeholders pointed out that rent, demurrage and other time-related penalties continue to increase despite the delays being outside the control of cargo owners.
They argued that these additional costs are placing a heavy financial burden on businesses already dealing with rising operational expenses and challenging economic conditions.
According to participants, the delays are affecting supply chain efficiency, slowing the movement of goods and reducing the competitiveness of Ghanaian businesses that depend on timely imports.
Importers warned that prolonged cargo evacuation delays ultimately translate into higher prices for consumers, as businesses are forced to pass on the additional costs associated with storage and demurrage.
Several stakeholders also noted that delayed access to imported raw materials and finished goods affects production schedules, inventory management and customer deliveries.
The participants called for stronger collaboration among the institutions responsible for cargo handling and clearance at the Port of Tema.
They urged regulators, terminal operators and logistics service providers to improve coordination and establish practical timelines for transferring containers from Terminal 3 to Inland Container Depots.
According to the stakeholders, better communication and closer cooperation among all parties involved would help eliminate unnecessary bottlenecks and improve cargo movement across the port.
They also requested greater transparency regarding container transfers so importers and clearing agents can better plan their operations and avoid avoidable storage costs.
Despite expressing dissatisfaction with the current situation, the participants commended the Ghana Shippers’ Authority for creating a platform that allows industry players to engage directly with regulators and service providers.
They described the quarterly committee meetings as an important opportunity to identify operational challenges and work collectively toward practical solutions that improve trade facilitation.
The stakeholders expressed optimism that continued dialogue between government agencies, port operators and the private sector would lead to reforms that improve efficiency at Ghana’s busiest seaport.
They stressed that addressing container evacuation delays is essential for strengthening Ghana’s logistics sector, reducing the cost of doing business and enhancing the country’s position as a competitive trade hub in West Africa.
The Ghana Shippers’ Authority has consistently promoted collaboration among stakeholders to improve cargo clearance processes and remove barriers affecting importers and exporters.
Industry players hope that discussions from the latest committee meeting will result in concrete measures that shorten container transfer times, reduce unnecessary costs and improve the overall efficiency of operations at the Port of Tema.