Importers and exporters in Ghana are set to save more than GH¢800 million annually following a new directive by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) to cap the Container Administrative Charge at GH¢550 per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU).
The policy, which takes effect from May 1, 2026, is aimed at reducing the cost of doing business at the country’s ports while improving transparency in charges imposed by shipping lines.
According to the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), shippers paid approximately GH¢1.69 billion in Container Administrative Charges in 2024. With the new cap in place, businesses are projected to save about GH¢802.5 million annually, easing the financial burden on traders and manufacturers.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 22, GUTA welcomed the move, describing it as a significant step toward addressing long-standing concerns over high and often unjustified port-related charges.
The Container Administrative Charge dates back to the late 1980s, when vessels calling at Ghana’s ports relied heavily on ship-mounted gear due to limited port infrastructure. However, industry players argue that the conditions that justified the charge no longer exist, despite continuous increases in the fees over the years.
GUTA indicated that the directive followed extensive stakeholder consultations involving shipping lines, freight forwarders, and other industry players, and was implemented under the provisions of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122).
As part of the new measures, the charge will now be denominated in Ghana cedis instead of US dollars, a move expected to enhance cost predictability and reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on businesses.
The association further stated that it will collaborate with the GSA to ensure strict compliance, warning that any shipping line or agent that charges above the approved cap would be in violation of the law.
GUTA believes the intervention will help curb excessive port charges, improve the competitiveness of Ghana’s ports, and support business growth across the country.
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