The GH¢720 container fee cap is at the centre of a fresh dispute between Importers and shipping lines in Ghana. The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) is demanding refunds for importers and sanctions against shipping lines it accuses of charging above the approved Container Administrative Charge Authority (CAC), despite a legally binding directive issued by the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA).
The Association says some shipping lines continue to charge above the GH¢720 container fee cap. It says the practice ignores a High Court ruling that affirmed the Ghana Shippers Authority’s regulatory powers.
In a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Samson Asaki Awingobit, the association described the conduct as economic sabotage. It argued that the alleged violations undermine both the authority of the regulator and the country’s judicial system.
Despite the court’s decision, the Association says evidence in its possession indicates that some major shipping lines continue to levy charges several times higher than the approved rate.
The IEAG argues that the latest developments expose longstanding weaknesses in the regulation of Ghana’s commercial shipping industry.
The Association comments that shipping lines imposed arbitrary administrative charges for years. Also, the practice has increased business costs at Ghana’s ports.
It further contends that continued non-compliance reflects what it describes as years of weak enforcement and a kid-gloves approach by successive regulators.
The Association says Parliament passed the Ghana Shippers Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122), specifically to strengthen oversight and protect shipping services and users.
“The Association urged the authority to enforce its directive. It warned that silence would encourage regulated entities to ignore future decisions.
The dispute follows a High Court ruling on July 10, 2026. The court dismissed SOAAG’s application challenging the Ghana Shippers Authority’s directive.
