Delays in moving containers through the Tema Port are raising concerns about the allocation of costs between importers and service providers, as businesses face additional charges when cargo remains at the port beyond the permitted storage period.
The latest concerns follow a call by the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) for an emergency meeting with Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson to address delays in shipping invoices, payment processing and container releases, alongside reported disruptions at Meridian Port Services (MPS) Terminal 3.
In a statement dated October 19, 2026, the Association said the challenges were increasing demurrage, rent and storage costs for importers, exporters, freight forwarders and other port users.
The delays are adding to importers’ costs, with businesses potentially paying extra rent, demurrage and storage charges when containers remain at the port longer than expected, including in cases where operational bottlenecks prevent timely clearance.
IEAG argues that businesses should not bear the costs of service failures they cannot prevent. The Association said it considers it “fundamentally unfair for businesses to bear the financial consequences of service failures they neither caused nor control.”
The position raises questions about whether the parties responsible for providing shipping and terminal services are being held accountable for delays that impose additional costs on customers.
Delays Carry Financial Consequences
The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) raised similar concerns in June after shippers reported prolonged delays in transferring containers from MPS Terminal 3 to inland container depots, including the Golden Jubilee Terminal.
At a second-quarter Shipper Committee meeting, stakeholders said some containers remained at Terminal 3 for weeks before being transferred, preventing importers and their agents from taking delivery within the free storage period.
The delays were increasing rent, demurrage, and other time-related charges, even in cases where importers had completed the statutory requirements for clearing their goods.
The repeated complaints point to persistent challenges in coordinating container transfers, with delays continuing to expose importers to additional port charges.
The latest statement from IEAG adds pressure on port authorities and service providers to establish where the delays originate, how long they persist, and which parties should bear the resulting costs.
The Association also reported that more than 120 trucks scheduled to transfer containers at MPS Terminal 3 had been affected by operational disruptions. It warned that the situation could extend truck turnaround times, interfere with haulage schedules and reduce the availability of vehicles for other cargo movements.
The reported disruption has not been independently established, making an investigation necessary to determine its causes and the extent of the resulting losses.
Accountability Across the Port System
IEAG’s demands highlight the need for shipping lines and terminal operators to meet agreed service standards and take responsibility for delays that increase costs for businesses.
The Association wants the proposed emergency meeting to bring together the GSA, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), shipping lines, terminal operators, clearing and forwarding agents and other industry stakeholders.
It is also calling for stricter enforcement of service-level agreements covering invoicing, payment processing, container releases and cargo transfers.
These agreements could help track turnaround times, determine who is responsible for delays and ensure that service providers face consequences when they fail to meet agreed standards.
For the intervention to produce lasting results, the discussions would need to go beyond identifying operational challenges. Clear timelines for resolving delays, a transparent complaints process and regular monitoring of service standards would help determine whether the measures agreed upon are working.
Implications for Business Costs
The financial consequences extend beyond the immediate charges imposed on importers. Additional storage, demurrage, container detention and haulage expenses can increase the total cost of bringing goods into the country.
Importers may absorb some of these expenses, while others may be reflected in the prices charged to wholesalers, retailers and final consumers. The extent of any pass-through depends on the product, market conditions and the ability of businesses to absorb additional costs.
With businesses preparing for the Christmas shopping season, timely cargo clearance is critical to meeting the expected rise in consumer demand. Delays could leave importers paying additional storage and demurrage charges, increasing the cost of goods before they reach the market.
Businesses may pass some of these costs on to consumers through higher prices, putting further pressure on household spending during the festive season. Faster cargo clearance would help importers restock on time, manage costs and reduce the risk of avoidable price increases.
IEAG’s call for an emergency meeting with Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson therefore comes at a critical time, with businesses needing urgent action to resolve port bottlenecks before the Christmas trading rush.
