The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) has urged the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to immediately engage shipping companies to tackle severe gridlock at the Port of Tema.
The business body warned that the persistent operational bottlenecks are inflating import fees, disrupting trade activities, and directly threatening the success of the government’s 24-hour economy policy.
Speaking on Rainbow Radio’s Frontline Show, GUTA President Clement Boateng explained that the main cause of the congestion is the failure of shipping line depots and yards to process returned empty containers.
This has created massive traffic queues, with haulage lorries stretching from the main port entry point all the way to the Regional Maritime University gates.
“Haulage drivers are enduring severe frustration on the roads. Many of them are marooned in these static queues for nearly a week just waiting for an opportunity to offload empty containers,” Mr Boateng stated.
“This is not merely a transport nuisance; it is directly driving up demurrage costs because empty containers are taking up crucial terminal space. Consequently, incoming vessel cargo cannot be moved for official customs inspection and clearance,” he added.
GUTA’s internal monitoring revealed that several shipping lines currently lack the necessary logistics and equipment to transfer unladen containers away from the terminals to their designated holding yards.
The association warned that the ongoing delays risk inflating the cost of doing business across the country, with extra charges ultimately being passed on to everyday consumers via elevated retail prices.
“The situation will inevitably worsen in the coming months as import volumes surge towards the end-of-year peak period,” Mr Boateng cautioned. “If the GPHA and shipping operators do not sit down together right now to resolve these logistical failures, the financial blow to local businesses and consumers will be severe.”
GUTA is calling for an emergency round-table discussion with port managers and shipping executives to clear the logjam, streamline container movement, and safeguard the wider national economy.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
