The proposed increments in port charges have been shifted to October this year.
The Harbours Authority (GPHA) had set July 1 to review upwards vessel handling charges and stevedoring charges by 4 per cent, whiles receipt and delivery charges with regards to imports handling was to be increased by 20 per cent.
According to news monitored on Accra based Citi Fm, the Head of Business Development at the GPHA, Alice Torkornoo said discussions were ongoing between stakeholders for the new tariffs to take effect in due time.
‘’We are discussing with our stakeholders to upwardly review the vessel handling charges and stevedoring charges by 4percent; the stevedoring is the vessel operation i.e that is where we either receive cargo into the vessel or deliver cargo out of the vessel.’’
According to Alice Torkornoo, there have been a number of discussions with stakeholders on the proposed move which is expected to boost port operations. Despite the discussions there were still some agitation from the shipping community and freight forwarders who have kicked against the reviews pushing the authority to put the move on hold.
The Concerned Freight Forwarders and Traders Forum of Ghana earlier warned the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority to put the tariff increase on hold since it will cripple their business. President of the group, Dennis Amfoh Sefah told the media that consumers will have to pay more since importers cannot bear the cost of importation alone. He said the current economic condition does not warrant such an increase.
‘’What we are proposing to GPHA is to suspend this increment for now so that if the economic situation in the country gets better, we can then go ahead with it.’’ said Dennis Amfoh Sefah. The freight forwarders argue that consumers will bear the brunt of the high cost in goods as importers will be forced to increase prices of commodities. Dennis Amfoh Sefah believes, ‘’the importer is going to divide his cost and put it on the items and commodities and you and I are going to suffer.’’
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