Ghana shippers Authorities has suspended demurrage and rent charges for shippers for the clearance of cargo at the ports.
A number of shippers were unable to clear their cargo on time following the announcement of restrictions of movement on parts of the country by President Nana Akufo-Addo to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 even though the movement of goods were exempted from the restrictions.
Speaking at press conference in Accra, the Head Freight and Logistics Department of Ghana Shippers’ Authority, Mr Fred Asiedu-Dartey said the 3 weeks lockdown affected most of the shippers or people to clear their goods from ports because most of the goods belong to individuals people which the lockdown affected them.
According to him, the amount of money(demurrage) is charged by the shipping line which brings goods to the ports when the goods are not clear within the next seven days at the ports have been suspended.
Mr Asiedu said, the management and other shipping organizations like the shipping lines,agents and port authorities had an engagement to suspend the charges during the lockdown which was initiated by the minister of transport, Hon. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah that all applicable time related penalties, demurrage and shortage of rent charges of cargo at the ports in wake of Covid-19 induced restrictions be waived effective 30th March to 19th April 2020.
He further explained that, the Authorities remain committed to promote and protect the interest of all shippers in Ghana and urged shippers to expide action to clear their cargo from the ports after the lockdown was lifted and warn shippers that any further delay in clearing their cargo at the ports will not be covered by a waiver.
