By Buertey Francis BORYOR
The Port of Tema has begun transferring overstayed containers to the Kpone Unity Terminal, with 355 containers already moved out of over 1,000 listed on the uncleared cargo list (UCL).
According to David Songotu, Logistics Manager at the port, the move is part of efforts to ease congestion and improve cargo flow.
“We have been able to do something about the UCL containers by starting to clear them to our Kpone Unity Terminal. So far, we have about 355 boxes being transferred to Kpone,” he said.
Overstayed containers, he explained, are those that remain in the port beyond the legally allowed time frame.
“Containers are supposed to spend 21 days according to customs; but with an understanding, we allow up to 60 days. Any container that stays beyond 60 days without being cleared is referred to as an overstayed container and goes straight to the uncleared cargo list,” Songotu noted.
He expressed worry about the increasing number of containers that have remained at the port for extended periods, some even up to three years.
“It is a big, big problem. Consignees are not making their way to the port to clear their cargo. They are turning the port into a storage area, which is completely wrong,” he said.
He added that congestion caused by these containers affects nearly all aspects of port operations – from vessel discharge to equipment movement, leading to longer delays and higher costs.
In spite of this, he highlighted the growing demand for the country’s port services, particularly in the containerised cargo space. He said its ports remains attractive due to their security and reliability, leading to an increase in transit and imported containers.
“Ghana has seen an increase in the number of containers arriving, especially since August 2024, due to high demand from neighbouring countries and more shipments from Eastern Europe.
“This trend has made even our usual lean seasons very busy. We are now receiving more containers even in the first quarter of the year, which used to be quiet,” he elaborated.
Mr. Songotu made these remarks during an appearance on the maritime-focused programme Eye on Port, powered by Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority (GPHA).
He acknowledged that in previous years, some UCL containers were diverted or cleared unlawfully, but said such practices have been curtailed.
Furthermore, he urged importers to take responsibility for their shipments. “You can sit at home and track your container. Always plan before you import. The port is just a temporary storage space.
“The real issue is not space, but the attitude of importers. Even if you give us the El Wak Stadium or the Baba Yara Stadium, with this same attitude, the port will still get choked,” he said.
To ensure the safe transfer of containers to the Kpone Unity Terminal, he said the port has deployed a mix of military escorts and GPS tracking systems.
“As I sit here, I can tell you where every truck carrying UCL containers is located,” Songotu said.
While no cost is currently charged for the transfers, he said that may change. “Definitely there will be a cost, because the distance is almost about 10 kilometres, and that is a lot of fuel burning and equipment usage,” he added.
