The Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) has advised importers and exporters to review their shipping contracts and secure adequate insurance cover in response to ongoing disruptions in global shipping routes.
Mr Fred Asiedu Dartey, an official in Freight and Logistics at the GSA, gave the advice during a media engagement organised by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) in Tema.
He said it is critical for shippers to understand their obligations under contracts of carriage to determine applicable surcharges, risks, and liabilities in the current volatile shipping environment.
Mr Dartey urged businesses to factor possible delays into their logistics planning to minimise potential losses, particularly for time-sensitive cargo.
“We also encourage shippers to take comprehensive insurance cover because the current risks are extremely high,” he said.
He disclosed that the GSA had established a complaints desk to support shippers in resolving disputes with shipping service providers as challenges within the sector continue to evolve.
Mr Dartey said the Authority had recently issued an advisory detailing what shippers should do, providing background to the current developments, their implications, and the surcharges introduced by some shipping lines.
He noted that there was also the possibility of booking cancellations, which businesses must anticipate in their planning.
Touching on broader trade issues, Mr Dartey called for urgent efforts to strengthen intra-African trade systems to reduce the continent’s vulnerability to global shocks.
He observed that intra-African trade currently stands at about 15 percent, compared to approximately 60 percent in Europe and 40 percent in Asia.
According to him, poor infrastructure, regulatory bottlenecks, and weak regional coordination continue to limit trade within the continent.
Captain Francis Kwesi Micah, a Maritime Consultant, underscored the need for African countries to diversify supply sources and invest in local production, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing.
He said initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area must move beyond policy discussions to full implementation to deliver meaningful impact.
Captain Micah also stressed the importance of investing in regional shipping networks and trade corridors to facilitate the efficient movement of goods across borders.
