GSA,GEPA collaborate to reduce sea cargo accidents

In an attempt to halt frequent cargo accidents on the seas, the Ghana Shippers Authority and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority have introduced the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Verified Container Weight Requirement to ensure that cargo ships comply with load limits.

The new IMO verification weight requirement will ensure that vessels do not load more than the required number of containers on board.

The requirement is also to ensure that terminal operators prepare vessel stowage prior to loading cargo ships.

Addressing a stakeholder forum in Accra, the Head of the Shippers Services and Trade Association, Naa Densua Aryeetey advised all importers to abide by the law to protect lives and properties.

‘‘For some time now, accidents have been occurring, where there has been loss of lives, the cargo and the vessel. And the totality of the journey has been destroyed”, she said.

She explained that the new requirement is to enforce an old law that has been use by stakeholders in the industry.

“It has always been the responsibility of the shipper to weigh the container that has the cargo, but shippers have been estimating the weight”, she said.

According to her, the new system will not only weigh the container but will also give the actual gross weight of the cargo.

“The actual gross weight of the cargo includes everything that is inside the container plus the entire weight of the container plus any material that may have been used to secure the cargo inside the container”, she said.

By: Jessica Ayorkor Aryee/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana