By Godwin Oritse with agency report

The Ghanian Ministry of Transport has directed that Terminal Handling Charges (THC) should not be charged by anybody as local charge at any of the country’s ports.

This followed an investigation into the introduction of the Charges by shipping lines and agents, a situation that generated a standoff between them and shippers. On August 10, the Ministry ordered a suspension of the charges to allow for investigations.

In a statement to announce findings of the investigation, the Ministry stated, among others, that “no new service has been introduced by the shipping companies at the ports in Ghana to warrant a new charge such as the THC.” It, however, stated that shipping companies are at liberty to increase their freight rates in accordance with increased operational costs.

The statement signed by sector minister, Fiifi Kwetey indicated that THC may be introduced as part of freight payable by the shipper at the port of origin in accordance with the appropriate incoterms. “All shipping line/agents should abide by this directive to ensure harmony in the shipping industry in Ghana.”

Meanwhile, foreign shipping firms operating in Nigeria have continued to charge Terminal Handling Charges unabated despite the outcry by importers and other stakeholders in the maritime industry.

Former Senior Special adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Leke Oyewole lamented that fact Ghana was leading Nigeria in the shipping industry of the Sub-region.  He said that there was a need to holistically look at the shipping charges in and identify the one that are tied to services.

He said “There is a need to revisit the issue of port charges in Nigeria with a view to ensuring that our port remains competitive. “If shipping companies in Ghana can drop terminal handling charge in Ghana, then they should be able to drop in Nigeria.

A logistics expert, Mr. Lucky Amiwero said that the collection of Terminal Handling Charges by shipping companies in Nigeria were illegal adding that he said to every relevant agency of government. He said “It is a shame on Nigeria that Ghana has to lead us as a country that has the cargo, Ghana does not control the volume of cargo we have .

“This charge has been paid by the importer at the point of loading at the port of origin, paying another terminal handling charge amounts to double payment. Legal luminary and maritime lawyer, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, (Senior Advocate of Nigeria) said that the development in Ghana does not go down with the Nigerian maritime industry.

“It is important that our port economic regulator looks at the illegal payment very critical and very fast too. The continued collection of the charges by shipping companies will also continue to bring about added cost of cargo clearance at the ports.