The Shippers Forum’s inaugural event was conducted in Tema, a port city, by Ecobank Ghana PLC.
The occasion served as a forum for gathering opinions from individuals involved in the shipping business and providing Bank officials with a means of understanding the problems these individuals face so they may give specialized solutions to address these problems.
In a plenary session, public sector organizations such as the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) participated and responded to questions about the steps and measures they are taking to ensure free flow of business at the ports.
The bulk cargo volume at the Port of Tema has decreased by 12.6%, according to the Marketing and Public Affairs Manager.
On his part, Fred Asiedu-Dartey, Head of Freight and Logistics at the Ghana Shippers Authority, disclosed that the emergence of new builds has produced a case of overcapacity of shipping boats, which is gradually leading to the reduction of freight rates after a significant climb over the last few years.
The Shipping Forum’s purpose was elaborated upon by Daniel Nii Kwei-Kumah Sackey, Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana Plc.
He claimed that the forum’s findings will allow his business to find some financial relief from some of the problems facing shippers in the industry.