The Tema High Court has fined 18 shipping lines a total of GH¢54,000 for filing their defence late in a case brought against them by Johnny Mantey, Tema District Chair of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders.

Mantey, represented by lawyer Noah Adamtey, filed the lawsuit on January 21, 2025.

He accused the shipping lines of violating the Shipping Authority Act 1122, which requires them to submit their service charges to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority for approval.

The defendants initially entered a conditional appearance on January 31, 2025, but failed to request that the writ be struck out within the required 14-day window.

Their appearance automatically became unconditional, yet they still failed to file a defence within the next 14 days as required by law.

As a result, the plaintiff filed a motion on March 14, 2025, seeking a judgment in default of defence. The court scheduled a hearing for March 27, 2025.

However, at the hearing, the plaintiff’s lawyers chose to withdraw the motion, which the court accepted.

Justice Cynthia Wiredu, presiding over the case, awarded a cost of GH¢54,000 against the defendants for their late filing.

Lawyer Noah Adamtey said the plaintiff will now respond to the defence, after which the case will proceed.