The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), terminal operators and shipping lines waived the demurrage and rent charges for the importers to help them cope with the financial challenges that the novel Coronavirus had imposed on their businesses.
The move was in response to a request from the government through the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) appealing for an additional 21-day free period for importers because of the partial lockdown which prevented majority of them from clearing their goods within the mandatory seven-day free period required.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic yesterday, May 3, the Head of Freight and Logistics at the GSA, Mr Fred Asiedu-Dartey, said all major shipping line operators did respond positively to the government’s request.
“As their contribution to the fight against COVID-19, major shipping lines and other operators issued a customer advisory indicating that demurrage had been waived for 21 days,” he said.
At the Tema Harbour, the Daily Graphic observed that three shipping lines which comprise Maersk Line (market leader), PIL Ghana Limited and Grimaldi Lines Ghana had all waived demurrage charges in response to the request.
At the Tema Harbour, the Daily Graphic observed that three shipping lines which comprise Maersk Line (market leader), PIL Ghana Limited and Grimaldi Lines Ghana had all waived demurrage charges in response to the request.
Terminal operators also charge rent for storage of cargo at the port and it attracts between GH¢11.40 and GH¢105.45 each day depending on the type of cargo in storage.
Mr Asiedu-Dartey explained that the implication of the exemption meant that goods due for clearance at the ports after the free mandatory period were ceded off demurrage and rent between March 30 and April 19.
“What this development means is that within the period March 30 and April 19, if an importer has demurrage and rent accruing on his or her cargo, it was waived,” he said.
On rent, Mr Asiedu-Dartey said all the terminal operators responded positively to the government’s request and waived all rent that had accrued during the lockdown period.
“As soon as the communication requesting the waiver got to them, GPHA issued a letter to all the terminal operators asking them to comply and I can tell you on authority that they all adjusted their systems in order to waive off rent,” he said.
By: NK AB
