Importers and exporters in Ghana are expected to save more than GH¢800 million annually following a new directive by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority to cap the Container Administrative Charge at GH¢550 per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU).

The policy, which takes effect from May 1, 2026, is aimed at reducing the cost of doing business at the country’s ports and bringing transparency to charges imposed by  shipping lines.

According to the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations, shippers paid about GH¢1.69 billion in Container Administrative Charges in 2024 alone. With the new cap in place, businesses are projected to save approximately GH¢802.5 million each year, easing the financial burden on traders and manufacturers.

The traders’ association, in a statement issued on Wednesday, April 22, welcomed the move, describing it as a critical step toward addressing long-standing concerns over high and often unjustified port-related charges imposed by shipping lines and their agents.

The Container Administrative Charge was introduced in the late 1980s when vessels calling at Ghana’s ports relied on ship-mounted gear due to limited port infrastructure.

However, industry players argue that the conditions that justified the charge no longer exist, yet the fees have continued to rise over the years.

The Association said the decision by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority followed extensive consultations with shipping lines, freight forwarders, and other stakeholders, and was undertaken under the provisions of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122).

Under the new directive, the charge will also be denominated in Ghana cedis instead of US dollars, a move expected to improve cost predictability for traders and reduce exposure to exchange rate fluctuations.

GUTA further indicated that it will work closely with the Ghana Shippers’ Authority to ensure strict compliance with the new cap, warning that any shipping line or agent that charges above the approved limit would violate the law.

The association believes the intervention marks an important step toward addressing excessive port charges and improving the competitiveness of Ghana’s ports while supporting business growth.