We’ll regulate shipping lines despite their resistance – Gyampo
His remarks come in the wake of concerns raised by the Chamber of Freight and Trade on Wednesday, May 21, regarding inconsistencies in the exchange rates used by shipping lines when calculating demurrage and other port-related charges.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), Professor Ransford Gyampo, has criticized international shipping lines operating in Ghana for resisting regulatory oversight, despite conducting business within the country’s jurisdiction.
His remarks come in the wake of concerns raised by the Chamber of Freight and Trade on Wednesday, May 21, regarding inconsistencies in the exchange rates used by shipping lines when calculating demurrage and other port-related charges.
“The shipping lines are not obligated to use the Bank of Ghana (BoG) rate. Some rely on interbank rates from their own banks, while others fix a rate and review it monthly. This lack of uniformity presents serious challenges for importers,” said Dennis Amfo Sefa, President of the Chamber.
In response, the Ship Owners and Agents Association explained that shipping lines typically calculate exchange rates based on the prevailing rate at the port of origin at the time a vessel departs for Ghana — a practice they say aligns with international shipping standards.
However, speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, May 22, Prof. Gyampo asserted that while the issue is solvable, there appears to be a deliberate effort by some shipping lines to evade Ghana’s regulatory framework.
“Some of these shipping lines are clearly unwilling to be regulated. These are foreign entities operating in Ghana, yet they want to operate on their own terms. I’ve made it clear that this won’t happen under my leadership. We are committed to enforcing Ghana’s laws,” he said.
He added, “We’ve all been to other countries, and there, you must follow their rules. When in Rome, you do as the Romans do. But when it comes to operating in Ghana, some of these companies think they can do as they please.”
Prof. Gyampo also revealed that shipping lines have previously resisted legal provisions requiring them to submit service charges for regulatory approval.
“The law mandates us to demand and approve their service charges. Yet, they have resisted — not just the Ghana Shippers Authority, but even Parliament and the Presidency. They continue to delay policy implementation. But we are patriotic Ghanaians, and we will ensure that the laws of the land are upheld,” he emphasized.
