Importers and exporters in Ghana are set to save more than GH¢800 million annually following a directive by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority to cap the Container Administrative Charge at GH¢550 per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU).
The new policy, which takes effect from May 1, 2026, aims to reduce the cost of doing business at the country’s ports and introduce greater transparency in charges imposed by shipping lines.
According to the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), shippers paid about GH¢1.69 billion in Container Administrative Charges in 2024 alone. With the cap in place, businesses are projected to save approximately GH¢802.5 million each year, significantly easing the financial burden on traders and manufacturers.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 22, GUTA welcomed the directive, describing it as a critical step toward addressing long-standing concerns over high and often unjustified port-related charges imposed by shipping lines and their agents.
The Container Administrative Charge was originally introduced in the late 1980s when vessels calling at Ghana’s ports depended on ship-mounted gear due to limited port infrastructure at the time.
However, industry players argue that the conditions that justified the charge no longer exist, yet the fees have continued to escalate over the years.
GUTA noted that the decision by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority followed extensive consultations with shipping lines, freight forwarders, and other stakeholders. The directive was issued under the provisions of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122).
Under the new policy, the charge will also be denominated in Ghana cedis instead of US dollars. This change is expected to improve cost predictability for traders and shield them from exchange rate fluctuations.
The traders’ association said it will work closely with the Ghana Shippers’ Authority to ensure strict compliance with the cap. It warned that any shipping line or agent charging above the approved limit would be violating the law.
GUTA believes the intervention represents an important milestone in tackling excessive port charges, enhancing the competitiveness of Ghana’s ports, and supporting broader business growth in the country.