Ghana took her place at the table of global Maritime decision-making as Prof. Ransford Gyampo, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), led the country’s delegation to the 11th session of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC-11), held in London from 8th to 12th September 2025.
The CCC is the IMO’s technical arm responsible for drafting and reviewing international codes and guidelines that govern how cargoes – from solid bulk and dangerous goods to liquefied gases and containers – are safely handled and transported at sea. Its work also covers safety standards for new fuels and inspection regimes aimed at preventing accidents and protecting the marine environment.
At this year’s meeting, delegates focused on a number of pressing issues. Chief among them was the growing problem of containers lost at sea-incidents that disrupt supply chains, create hazards to navigation, damage marine ecosystems and increase the cost of doing business at the ports. Alongside this, the Sub-Committee also examined amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code, revisions to cargo-securing manuals, and the development of guidelines for alternative fuels such as ammonia and hydrogen.
Prof. Gyampo was joined by Ms. Sylvia Asana Dauda Owu, GSA’s Deputy CEO in Charge of Technical Services, Capt. Derrick Attachie, Executive (Technical II), and Ms. Lydia Tsotsoo Odai-Tettey of the Ghana Maritime Authority. The team actively participated in technical deliberations, particularly those that directly impact the cost of doing business at the ports.
Key recommendations emerging from CCC-11 included:
- Revising cargo-securing manuals to incorporate harmonized performance standards for lashing software.
- Establishing stronger inspection regimes for containers and securing gear.
- Improving stowage planning and operational guidance to reduce the likelihood of container losses in adverse weather.
- Developing further guidelines for ships using alternative fuels.
These recommendations will now be forwarded to the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee for consideration and possible adoption.
“The global conversation on container safety is not just technical – it has a direct bearing on the competitiveness of our traders and the safety of our maritime space,” Prof. Gyampo remarked on the sidelines of the meeting.
By contributing to these global deliberations, Ghana not only safeguards its own trade interests but also strengthens its role as a key player in West Africa’s maritime industry, with the GSA leading the charge
