Foreign Shipping Lines Resisting Local Regulation – Shippers Authority CEO
Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), Professor Ransford Gyampo, has raised concerns over what he describes as growing resistance from international shipping lines operating in Ghana to adhere to local regulatory frameworks.
His comments come on the back of recent complaints by the Chamber of Freight and Trade regarding discrepancies in the exchange rates used by shipping lines in calculating demurrage and other port-related charges.
“The shipping lines are not under any obligation to use the BoG rate. Some use interbank rates from their own banks. Others lock in a rate and review it monthly. This lack of uniformity creates serious challenges for importers,” noted Dennis Amfo Sefa, President of the Chamber, during a press briefing on Wednesday, May 21.
Responding to the concerns, the Ship Owners and Agents Association defended the practice, indicating that shipping lines apply the prevailing rate at the port of origin when a vessel departs for Ghana — a practice they describe as consistent with global shipping norms.
But speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, May 22, Prof. Gyampo took a firm stance, stating that the GSA would not allow foreign shipping companies to operate outside the country’s regulatory framework.
“Some shipping lines do not want to be regulated. Remember, these are foreign businesses that have come into our country to do business, but somehow, they want to do things on their own. But I have told them that it cannot happen under my watch,” he asserted.
Resistance to Policy and Legislative Oversight
Professor Gyampo further disclosed that the Authority has previously faced pushback from some shipping lines regarding compliance with legal requirements, including the submission of service charges for vetting and approval.
“Even in the law that gives us the power to demand their service charges and to approve or otherwise, they fought with the Ghana Shippers Authority, Parliament, and even the president,” he revealed.
He emphasized that such resistance undermines regulatory integrity and national sovereignty, especially given the obligations Ghanaian businesses must comply with when operating in foreign jurisdictions.
“When we travel to other countries, we work with their rules. We didn’t say that because we were from Ghana, we would do things anyhow. But most of them do not want to comply with our laws,” he added.
Despite these challenges, the GSA boss pledged to uphold the law and ensure that all shipping lines operating within Ghana conform to local rules and procedures.
“Some of us are too patriotic to Ghana, so we will, and we will ensure that what the laws say is what we will do,” he concluded.
