The Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) has warned it will deal with shipping companies who are still charging importers Terminal Handling Charge (THC) fee.
According to the GSA, the THC is seen as one of the non tariff charge which is a barrier to trade.
Speaking on Citi FM’s “Business Today”, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority Sylvia Asana Owu said the authority will take up the matter with the Global Shippers’ forum to name and shame companies still charging the THC.
“As an authority we are not sitting down unconcerned, we have taken the matter up as far as the global shipper’s forum and they have also admitted that the issue of terminal handling charges is so unfair and it is one of the non tariff barriers that goes against international trade. And so they are ready to take the matter up to name and shame shipping lines that are engaged in this act,” she announced.
Madam Asana Owu further explained that the directive from the Transport Minister for the THC to be halted was very straight forward and shipping lines needed not to confuse the issue.
“One thing we must realize is that if you are dealing with a shipper and the shipper says this is what I want, you need to respect it,” she said.
She urged shipping lines to listen to their associations to press home their demand.
“I think the shipping lines should listen to the business associations and make sure that they work together” She stated.
Key business organizations in the country have called for sanctions against all shipping lines that flouted the Transport Minister’s directive asking them to halt charging charges.
Transport Minister Fiifi Kwetey had earlier directed all shipping lines in the country to stop charging the Terminal Handling Charges.
Despite the directive, 5 shipping lines MSC Ghana, PIL Ghana, CMA CGM Ghana, Maersk Ghana and Intermodal Shipping Agency Ghana are reported to be still charging the fees and flouting the Minister’s directives.
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By: Norvan Acquah – Hayford/citibusinessnews.com /Ghana