Freight forwarders, customs agents and trade associations at the Tema Port, yesterday, protested against what they described as exploitative charges imposed by shipping lines. The protesters, included members of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), the Association of Customs House Agents (ACHAG) , Freight Forwarders Association of Ghana (FFAG) and Customs Brokers Association of Ghana (CUBAG).
Numbering about 200, the leadership of the protestors submitted petitions to the management of the Mediterranean Shipping Company; CMA-CGM, a French container transportation and shipping company; Grimaldi Ghana Limited and Maersk Line shipping.
They gave a 14-day ultimatum to the shipping lines to address their concerns and threatened further actions if their demands were not addressed.
The protesters were particularly outraged by fees such as demurrage charges during weekends and public holidays, which they argued were unfair because they could not process clearances during those times. They also criticised charges like container cleaning fees, empty container fees and other local administrative fees many of which were pegged to the US dollar in violation of local regulations.