The Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) has deferred the implementation date of the Smart Port Note (SPN) scheduled to commence on February 1, 2026.

Following the initial notice issued on December 23, 2025, the GSA said certain issues had emerged that required further clarification and alignment with key stakeholders.

A notice issued on Wednesday by the Authority said the deferment was to subject the outstanding issues to an additional round of stakeholder consultations prior to the implementation.

“A new date for the rollout will be communicated in due course,” it added.

The SPN aims to enhance trade facilitation, improve regulatory compliance, strengthen cargo monitoring, and increase the reliability of logistics data within Ghana’s ports.

It was an agreement with Inter-Ocean Maritime and Logistics Institute Limited for the implementation, which would cover all shipments to and from Ghana, including transit cargoes through the country’s seaports.

The agreement was signed after extensive consultations with shippers and stakeholders including the Ghana Union Traders Association, Association of Ghana Industries, and the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana.

Others are Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG), Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders, Customs Brokers Association Ghana, Association of Customs House Agents and Freight Forwarders Association of Ghana.

The SPN was an advanced shipment information system and is being introduced pursuant to the mandate of the Ghana Shippers Authority under L.I. 2190 to enhance trade facilitation, cargo monitoring, compliance enforcement, and the availability of reliable shipping and logistics data.