By Evelyn ARTHUR
Adam Imoru Ayarna, an Executive Member of the Ship Owners and Agents Association(SOAAG) – an umbrella-body of shipping lines and local representatives operating in the country, has indicated that all charges of shipping lines at the port are legitimate.
He also refuted claims that its members are ripping-off shippers with arbitrary fees and charges at the port, as claimed by freight forwarders in their recent protest against shipping lines.
Speaking in an interview with B&FT after a media engagement at Tema to highlight the operations of shipping lines and those of freight forwarders within the industry, he said shipping lines are a conscious business with customers at heart; therefore, freight forwarders who say anyone is doing anything illegal should take that company on.
Mr. Ayarna pointed out: “There is no charge that is illegal – as for us we are very open and encourage anyone who says anyone is doing anything illegal to take that company on or to take us to the court”.
He said dialogue is key in the shipping industry and therefore the first point of call for stakeholders in the industry is to hold a roundtable meeting.
“It is imperative that we all understand and appreciate this industry, because no matter what we do it will have an impact on our very being. There will be challenges, but those challenges have to be dealt with by discussion or dialogue,” Mr. Ayarna noted.
Addressing journalists on shipping principles, he seized the opportunity to clear some misunderstandings and misconceptions on exchange rates, cost-drivers at the ports, demurrage, contract of carriage, shipping lines not working on weekends and others – adding its members are ready to work 24/7.
He admitted that recently shipping lines have had some challenges, such as e-invoicing, conflict of names on TIN numbers and system challenges which are causing delays, urging the shipping lines to inform their customers in such cases.
Mr. Ayarna also promised they will continue to ensure their members abide by the country’s laws at every point in time to demonstrate the level of integrity that all shipping lines espouse globally.
Pepertual Osei-Bonsu, Executive Secretary-Ship Owners and Agents Association (SOAAG), underscored their need to sensitise the general public – particularly the importing and exporting community – about their members’ operations in Ghana moving forward.
She also highlighted the contributions of shipping lines to the maritime industry and Ghanaian economy as a whole, noting their relentless commitment to creating a vibrant business within the Ghanaian maritime and logistics chain.
She said: “In order to address concerns of stakeholders in the shipping industry, we will continue to sensitise the public so they have a clear view of our activities and can better appreciate them, ask the right questions and plan their cargo well”.
Commenting on the recent freight-forwarders’ protest against shipping lines, she urged them to get to the root of the issue and find a solution to it.
