The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), Ms Benonita Bismarck, has revealed that the payment of demurrage by shippers at the ports has reduced.
(From left to right ) Mr Frederick Atogiriye ,Head of Public Relations; Ms Benonita Bismarck,CEO and Mr Emmanuel Arku,Head of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation
“It is gratifying to note that container demurrage payments at the Ports of Tema and Takoradi reduced from USD 76 million in 2017 to USD 59 million in 2018.”, she said.
She made the announcement at the first quarter edition of the 2019 Shipping Quarter and Outlook (SQ &O) in Accra Wednesday 20thFebruary, 2018. The SQ&O has been instituted by the GSA to engage the media and provide timely, authentic and accurate information on the shipping industry to the public.
She noted that a reduction in the payment of demurrage and rent at the country’s ports remains the Authority’s priority hence its continuous shipper education and sensitisation campaigns.
Ms Bismarck, however, noted that rent payments at the Tema and Takoradi ports increased from GHS 48.1 million in 2017 to GHS 49.9 million in 2018. She added that the 3.2 per cent rise represents the slowing down of the rate of increase owing to intensified education and sensitisation campaigns.
“Container demurrage and rent are avoidable payments at the ports. If shippers are able to clear their cargo generally within the first seven days free period, they do not have to pay container demurrage or rent charges. These are costs that can be avoided with a little more diligence on the part of shippers and key stakeholders.”, she said
On the paperless port project and the tax stamp policy, she noted that even though their implementation experienced some challenges, continuous education of shippers will make them successful for the benefit of the shipping community.
Ms Bismarck advised importers, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers whose businesses fall under the tax stamp policy to comply with the provisions of the Excise Tax Stamp Act, 2013 Act 873. This, she said, will help them avoid the detention and seizure of their goods and an imposition of 300 per cent penalty on duties and taxes as non-compliance punishments.
