The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has called on the Minister for Finance to urgently convene an emergency stakeholder meeting over worsening operational challenges at the Tema Port.
In a press statement dated October 19, 2026, and signed by the Executive Secretary, Samson Asaki Awingobit, the Association said importers, exporters, clearing agents, freight forwarders and transport operators are facing mounting losses due to persistent delays by shipping lines and disruptions at the Meridian Port Services (MPS) Terminal 3.
The Association described the situation as alarming and warned that it is undermining port efficiency and disrupting supply chains. “The Association is alarmed by persistent delays in invoicing, payment processing and container release by shipping lines, alongside reported disruptions to container transfer operations at the Meridian Port Services Terminal 3,” the statement said.
According to IEAG, these challenges are imposing avoidable financial costs on businesses and heightening tensions across the maritime trade sector. It wants the Finance Minister to bring together the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), shipping lines, terminal operators and other stakeholders to establish the causes of the delays and agree on immediate relief measures.
“The meeting must establish the causes of the persistent delays, identify parties responsible for the reported operational failures, agree on immediate relief measures for affected businesses and set clear, enforceable timelines,” IEAG demanded.
Unfair Charges On Shippers
IEAG said delays in issuing invoices, confirming payments and releasing containers prevent shippers from clearing cargo on time, resulting in extra demurrage, rent and storage charges.
It said it is unfair for businesses to pay for failures they did not cause. “The Association considers it fundamentally unfair for businesses to bear the financial consequences of service failures they neither caused nor control,” the statement noted.
The group said while legitimate demurrage charges serve a purpose, they must be transparent and fair, and where delays are caused by shipping lines, such charges should be investigated before being enforced.
It urged the Ghana Shippers’ Authority to exercise its mandate to protect shippers and called on GPHA to ensure effective oversight of port operations.
MSC Incident
The Association also expressed concern over a reported confrontation and alleged assault at the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) office at Tema Port.
IEAG said it “unequivocally condemns violence, intimidation and unlawful conduct” and called for an impartial investigation.
However, it noted that prolonged delays and mounting charges are fueling frustration among port users.
“When importers, clearing agents and other port users face persistent uncertainty over invoices, payment confirmation and cargo release, the resulting financial pressure and frustration can heighten tensions,” the statement said.
It warned that “if these concerns remain unresolved, further confrontations could result in serious injuries, destruction of property, disruption of port operations and threats to the safety of workers.”
Over 120 Trucks Affected
On the MPS Terminal 3 disruptions, IEAG said more than 120 trucks scheduled to transfer containers were delayed due to terminal operational issues.
Such disruptions, it said, prolong truck turnaround times, reduce equipment utilisation, increase container movement costs and create bottlenecks across the logistics chain.
The Association said allegations that delays may be contributing to accumulation of rent and storage charges must be investigated transparently.
“Where evidence establishes that operational failures attributable to a service provider caused the delays, affected port users should not be left to shoulder unjustified costs,” it said.
Enforce SLAs
IEAG said the recurring challenges show the need to review and enforce Service Level Agreements governing shipping line services and terminal operations.
“Service Level Agreements must not exist merely as contractual formalities. They must establish clear performance standards, measurable turnaround times,” the Association stated.
It is demanding clear service timelines, investigation of service failures, fair treatment of charges, transparent performance monitoring and a functional complaints mechanism.
The Association said it is “inequitable for shipping lines to enforce strict container-return deadlines and impose substantial charges for late returns while customers experiencing delays may have limited practical recourse.”
IEAG stressed that accountability must be reciprocal, with both shippers and service providers held to their obligations.
The Association concluded that the Tema Port is a critical gateway for trade and its inefficiency affects import costs, export competitiveness and consumer prices, urging the Finance Minister to act decisively.
“The time for urgent intervention is now,” the statement added.
