IEAG Demands Immediate Sanctions Against Non-Compliant Shipping Lines Over Illegal Container Administrative Charges

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has taken note, with grave concern, of the continued refusal by some shipping lines operating in Ghana to comply with the lawful Regulatory Directive of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) capping the Container Administrative Charge (CAC) at GH¢720 per Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU).

This blatant disregard for the laws of Ghana comes despite the clear ruling of the High Court on 10th July 2026, which dismissed an application by the Ship Owners and Agents Association of Ghana (SOAAG) and others seeking to restrain the implementation of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority’s Regulatory Directive issued on 11th May 2026.

The Court unequivocally affirmed that the Directive had already taken effect upon issuance and remains valid, operational, and fully enforceable. Consequently, all shipping lines and their agents were directed by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority to immediately comply with the approved Container Administrative Charge of GH¢720 per TEU.

Regrettably, evidence available to the Association, including invoices issued by major shipping lines such as PIL and MSC, indicates that some operators continue to impose excessive and unjustifiable charges in blatant disregard of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority’s directive. For instance, Pacific International Lines (PIL) charged an importer GH¢4,000.00 as a Container Release Order fee on a single 40-foot container, while MSC Ghana Limited charged GH¢3,870.46 as an Administrative Import Fee for a single 40HC container. These amounts are more than five times the approved Container Administrative Charge of GH¢720 per Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) and constitute a clear violation of the Authority’s lawful directive and the provisions of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122).”

These actions amount to nothing short of economic sabotage and a deliberate attempt to undermine the regulatory authority of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority and the judicial authority of the Republic of Ghana.

For far too long, shipping lines operating in Ghana have acted with impunity, exhibiting little regard for the laws and regulations governing the commercial shipping industry.

The persistent imposition of arbitrary charges has significantly increased the cost of doing business at our ports, with the burden ultimately borne by Ghanaian importers, exporters, and consumers.

The continued non-compliance by these shipping lines only reinforces the Association’s long-held position that some shipping operators have become emboldened by years of weak enforcement and what can best be described as a “kid gloves” approach by successive regulators.

The passage of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122), was intended to address precisely these challenges by equipping the Authority with the necessary legal powers to regulate the industry effectively and protect users of shipping services.

In particular, Section 47 of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024, provides that:
“Where the Authority, whether before or after an investigation, makes a decision or directs a person in the commercial shipping industry to do or desist from doing an act and the person fails to comply with the decision of the Authority, the Authority may apply to the High Court for the enforcement of the decision.”

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana is, therefore, calling on the Ghana Shippers’ Authority to immediately invoke the full extent of its powers under Act 1122 by:
•⁠ ⁠Instituting enforcement proceedings against all shipping lines found to be charging Container Administrative Charges above the approved GH¢720 cap;

•⁠ ⁠Applying to the High Court under Section 47 of Act 1122 for the enforcement of its directive against all non-compliant operators;

•⁠ ⁠Imposing all applicable sanctions and regulatory measures available under the law

•⁠ ⁠Ordering the immediate refund of all excess amounts unlawfully collected from importers and exporters since the effective date of the directive; and

•⁠ ⁠Publishing the names of all non-compliant shipping lines in the interest of transparency and accountability.

The Authority cannot afford to remain silent while regulated entities openly defy its directives and undermine the confidence of the business community. Failure to act decisively at this critical moment will send a dangerous signal that regulatory directives in Ghana can be ignored without consequence.

As an Association representing the interests of thousands of importers and exporters across the country, we wish to state unequivocally that this matter has moved beyond mere regulatory non-compliance; it is now a test of the Authority’s resolve and the effectiveness of Ghana’s legal and regulatory framework.

We further wish to caution that if urgent steps are not taken by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority to enforce its directive and restore sanity to the sector, the Association will be left with no option but to explore all lawful avenues available to us, including the organization of industrial actions and the possible suspension of activities at the ports to register our displeasure and protect the interests of our members.

No company or institution, irrespective of its size or international standing, is above the laws of the Republic of Ghana.
If these shipping lines must be dragged before courts of competent jurisdiction for their persistent disregard of lawful directives, then so be it. The law must be allowed to take its course, and any enforcement action undertaken must serve as a deterrent to other operators contemplating similar acts of defiance.

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana remains committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure a fair, transparent, and competitive shipping environment that supports trade facilitation and advances the Government’s agenda of reducing the cost of doing business in Ghana.
The time for dialogue has passed. The time for enforcement is now.

……………
SIGNED
Samson Asaki Awingobit
Executive Secretary
Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG)
Tel: 0243575046