The Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) is encouraging all shippers who believe to have been charged stemming from the internet service (IS) disruption or any other delays to contact the authority.

In a statement, it said the GSA has since the internet service disruptions engaged terminal operators and other shipping service providers to ensure that shippers aren't charged for any delays in the cargo arrival and clearing process that are not occasioned by the shipper, be it internet service disruption, related or not.

“On 18|03|2024, the GSA issued a statement assuring shippers of the Authority's support in situations where it can be established that the IS disruption inflicted negative financial consequences on the shipping/clearing activities of the shipper. The GSA has also since the IS disruptions, engaged terminal operators and other shipping service providers to ensure that shippers aren't charged for any delays in the cargo arrival and clearing process that are not occasioned by the shipper, be it IS disruption related or not”.

“We encourage all shippers who believe they have been assessed charges stemming from the Internet Service disruption or any other delays not occasioned by them to contact GSA”, it added.

It continued that the potential adverse impact of the recent internet service disruption on businesses in Ghana is not in doubt.

“Importers and exporters could be hard hit by the challenge, considering that most of processing done via the shipping value chain are digitised. The Ghana Shippers' Authority is not oblivious to the effect of high storage (rent) and demurrage charges that may result from the delays occasioned by the disruption”, it mentioned.