…as shipping lines debunk rip-off allegations
Shipowners and Agents Association of Ghana (SOAAG), the umbrella body of shipping lines and their local representatives operating in the country, has refuted claims that its members are ripping off shippers with arbitrary fees and charges at the ports.
Addressing journalists in Tema, the leadership of the association emphasized that every shipping line charge or fee is tied to a specific service that has been rendered to the shipper, and that they were legitimate and globally applicable.
According to SOAAG, when a shipper approaches a shipping line, there is dialogue, an offer and conditions that are agreed upon by both parties in contract—including the destination/local administrative charges.
An executive member of the association, Mr. Adam Imoru Ayarna, indicated that shipping lines were open to the reintroduction of terminal handling charges in Ghana to foster transparency and cohesion in the application of port charges.
“With terminal handling charges, we [shipping lines] can bundle and itemize all the local charges, clearly stating the charges that emanates from origin and destination, respectively,” he said.
“We suggested this sometime ago and it was fought vehemently; but I think it’s high time we reconsidered introducing THCs going forward so we can identify the cost drivers in the consolidated freight that is issued to the shipper, if we want international best practices,” Mr. Ayarna added.
According to him, shipping lines cannot trade with basic ocean freight alone—which is the cost of the ship sailing from origin port to destination port, hence there are add-ons and surcharges to cushion them from other cost variables which they do not control.
“Making allegations about a service charge that you think is not right does not solve the issue because it takes two to tango; besides, these charges are not illegitimate,” Mr. Ayarna further stressed.
On her part, the executive secretary of SOAAG, Madam Perpetua Osei-Bonsu, indicated that it was not right for stakeholders to single out shipping lines for blame with regards to the high cost of doing business in the port.
According to Madam Osei-Bonsu, the media engagement formed part of an ongoing activity to sensitize shipping stakeholders about the business processes of shipping lines as a way of eliminating various misconceptions associated with their dealings with the shipping public.
“We also recognize the need to throw more light on the operations of our members and their immense contributions to the growth of Ghana’s shipping sector,” she said.
She added: “By this media engagement, we anticipate that you will be empowered to provide compelling and impartial reportage on issues relating to the activities of shipping lines in Ghana. It is an opportunity to highlight the relentless commitment of our members to create vibrant businesses in the maritime industry.”
Latest Stories
-
Christian Service University celebrates 50th anniversary of charting academic excellence
12 mins -
Bawumia to engage arts and tourism industry
13 mins -
Presidential aspirant Samuel Apea-Danquah seeks injunction against EC over disqualification
15 mins -
Friend of the Earth launches Sustainable Chocolate Certification in Ghana
20 mins -
Western North Small-Scale Miners Task Force destroys galamsey equipment on river bodies
28 mins -
I was only questioning legitimacy of Kotoku task force – Birim North DCE reacts to viral galamsey video
38 mins -
Give NPP another term to reform education sector – Dr Adutwum
45 mins -
Revocation of L.I. on mining in forest reserves: What is the role of Parliament?
47 mins -
NRSA satisfied with arrest of suspect driver’s parents in fatal East Legon crash
50 mins -
5th cohort graduation of Kayayei empowerment programme; 620 women complete
1 hour -
Over 60 out of 200 hospitals started by the Akufo-Addo government completed – Ofosu Nkansah
1 hour -
Man catches wife in bed with another man, gets prison time for extortion
1 hour -
Petition to declare 4 seats vacant wrongly done – Prof Mike Oquaye
1 hour -
‘K’ is the Constant: The steady decline of Ghana football is a result of poor leadership
2 hours -
‘Dumsor is all you’re known for, nothing better’ – Akufo-Addo taunts Mahama
2 hours