Figures for Ghana’s maritime trade performance in 2017 in imports, exports and transits have been released by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) as part of its Shipping Quarter and Outlook programme instituted to engage the media and provide timely, authentic and accurate information on the shipping industry to the public.
Ghana’s seaborne trade volume increased by 15.9 per cent in 2017 over the year 2016, and the outlook for 2018 is expected to see a growth of about 10 per cent in cargo throughput.
While total imports for 2016 registered 12.1 million mt, the figure increased by 17.5 per cent to 14.16 million mt in 2017 comprising 5.7 million mt of Liner cargo, 1.85 million mt of Break bulk, 3.1 million mt of Dry bulk cargo and 3.4 million mt of Liquid bulk imports.
Total exports for 2017 also saw a 10.9 per cent increase over 2016 from 5.55 million mt to 6.14 million mt. The Dry Bulk exports category, which was a major performer, had manganese and bauxite recording substantial increases for the year under review.
On transit, Ghana’s total trade between Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali in 2017 recorded 998,542 mt representing an increase of 24.6 per cent in the 2016 figure of 801,363 mt. The 2017 transit trade comprises imports of 945,095 mt and exports of 53,447 mt.
The Chief Executive Officer of the GSA, Ms Benonita Bismarck, who announced the figures at a press conference on Wednesday March 28,2018 , among other developments in the maritime transport industry, noted that demurrage payments at the Ports of Tema and Takoradi reduced from USD95 million in 2016 to USD76 million in 2017.
Ms Bismarck advised shippers to clear their goods within the seven-day free period to avoid demurrage and rent. She assured the nation of the Authority’s commitment to continue to educate and sensitise shippers on ways to reduce the cost of doing business the ports.
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Click HERE to see a detailed breakdown and analysis of Ghana’s maritime trade performance for 2017
