Freight Forwarders operating at the Port of Tema have expressed growing frustration over repeated and unannounced downtimes of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), describing the situation as “untenable” and a serious threat to port efficiency.

In a statement released this week, the association highlighted that since March 2025, ICUMS has experienced frequent outages without prior notice or contingency plans, causing significant disruptions to customs clearance processes.

The interruptions, they said, have led to delays in container clearance, missed delivery schedules, and substantial financial losses for businesses, including demurrage and storage charges.

“Daily operations are now fraught with unpredictability, affecting timelines, contractual obligations, and the broader logistics value chain,” the statement read.

It noted that freight forwarders are also incurring higher administrative and human resource costs due to prolonged processing times, while importers and exporters face reputational damage with partners locally and internationally.

The association called on relevant authorities to take urgent action, including providing a detailed explanation for the recurring system failures, establishing strong backup systems, giving advance notice of maintenance or unexpected outages, and implementing a compensation mechanism for affected businesses.

Additionally, they urged the creation of a multi-stakeholder emergency technical task force comprising ICUMS service providers, the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Ghana Shippers Authority, and representatives of freight forwarders to monitor and address future disruptions.

The statement concluded that ensuring a dependable and accountable operating environment is critical for maintaining the competitiveness of the Port of Tema as a regional logistics hub.