-To Boost Efficiency
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Meridian Port Services (MPS), Mohamed Samara, has called for a reduction in the 100 percent examination of containers at Terminal 3 of the Tema Port, in a bid to enhance operational efficiency and improve cargo clearance processes.
Speaking to stakeholders in the cargo clearance chain, during the company’s Customer Service Week celebrations, Samara emphasized the need for more streamlined and effective procedures that would expedite the movement of goods through the port and reduce delays.
He, therefore, urged stakeholders, including customs authorities, shipping lines, and freight forwarders, to reconsider the current practice of conducting 100% physical inspections of containers.
He argued that this method not only slows down operations but also creates congestion and increases costs for importers and exporters.
MPS suggested that port authorities should rely more on modern technology, such as automated systems and risk-based assessments, to determine which containers need to be physically inspected. By using a more targeted approach, he noted that only high-risk containers would require detailed examination, while low-risk shipments could move through the clearance process more swiftly.
The CEO highlighted the adverse effects of the 100% container examination policy on the overall efficiency of Tema Port, one of West Africa’s busiest ports. He noted that reducing the need for physical inspections would significantly improve the turnaround time for ships, enhance Ghana’s trade competitiveness, and reduce delays that increase the cost of doing business at the port.
While acknowledging the importance of ensuring security and compliance in the cargo clearance process, MPS emphasized the need to find a balance between protecting national interests and maintaining high standards of operational efficiency. He called for collaboration among all stakeholders to refine inspection processes in a way that benefits both security and trade facilitation.
The position of the MPS CEO aligns with ongoing efforts by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to modernize customs operations through the use of scanners, risk management systems, and pre-clearance procedures. It is believed that such systems can help to identify potentially non-compliant containers while allowing the majority of compliant cargo to pass through without delay.
