Maersk Ghana lifts suspension on accounts of importers, exporters, freight forwarders

On August 11, 2021, 10:38 AM

Maersk Ghana Limited, the Ghanaian subsidiary of Danish International Shipping Line, Maersk A/S, has from today August 10, lifted the suspension on the accounts of some importers, exporters and freight forwarders in the country.

The reversal of the earlier decision by Maersk Ghana comes, following engagement with stakeholders on the impact the suspension was having on the activities of traders.

It also comes in about 24 hours after the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders and their agents to engage the National Security over the development.

“In view of impact and feedback from engagements with stakeholders, suspension [of accounts] will be lifted from today to allow for further discussion and resolution of all cases.

“We regret any inconvenience this may have caused to Customers who may have also been suspended erroneously during this exercise,” stated Maersk Ghana said in a press statement issued by management on Tuesday, August 10.

The shipping company is said to have placed on suspension, old outstanding invoices of its customers, blocking businesses of more than 100 shipping agents in turn, and denied them access to clear their goods.

The situation, the aggrieved importers and exporters, and freight forwarders said, impacted new booking creation and cargo release.

They affected shipping agents and businesses who operate at the Tema Port, feared Ghana could be losing its business-friendly status, as a result of what they described as ‘unfair treatment’ from the shipping line that lasted for some weeks.

The situation has triggered losses due to demurrage and rent charges from the port authority, therefore, they notified the Management of the Ghana Institute of Freight forwarders and the Ghana Shippers Authority about the development.

According to the shipping agents, and businesses who were affected by the company’s decision, attempts to get it resolved through the two institutions could not yield the expected result.

On their part, the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders indicated that they had asked Maersk to stop the unlawful treatment meted out to Ghanaian exporters, but to no avail.

“We have written to and engaged the Ghana Shipping Authority to call the shipping line to order because these kinds of treatment are only here in Ghana, and we notified Maersk to allow our people to continue with their business, whilst they investigate the error.”

Those were the response of the President of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders, Eddie Akrong, in an interview with Joy Business.

“We have been meeting with other stakeholders and our authorities and will soon announce our next line of action,” he said.

However, an official of Maersk Ghana, the local agents of Maersk Shipping who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the company was working to resolve the matter.

Story By Francis Ntow