We need to revise maritime law to address critical issues at ports – Shippers Authority boss

The Ghana Shippers Authority is calling for the revision of the maritime law to help regulate activities at the ports.

According to the Chief Executive of the Authority, Benonita Bismarck, the revision is necessary to address critical setbacks at the ports, such as piracy attacks.

She was speaking at the 14th Maritime Law Seminar for selected justices of the High Court. The 14th Maritime Law Seminar for selected Justices of the High Court focused on how to ensure security in the maritime domain.

According to report, there were 84 piracy attacks on ships in the Gulf of Guinea in 2020.

In an interview, Benonita Bismarck said the revision of the Maritime law is necessary to address emerging problems at the ports.

“It is difficult to use a law that doesn’t contain all the provisions that you need to address current issues. At the time, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea was unknown. As an administrator of justice you need to apply the law but if it is not there, how can you give what you don’t have”.

“We need to revise the law to ensure that it is in consonance with what is happening currently”, he said.

The Chief Justice of the country, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo added that the anticipated increase in port activities as a result of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agree (AfCFTA) will come with its challenges hence the need for a stronger maritime law.