In order to discuss how freight forwarders may stay relevant in a volatile global supply chain, the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) conducted its 25th Annual General Meeting in Koforidua, the capital of the Eastern Regional Region.
The Omanhene of New Juaben, Daasebre Nana Kwaku Boateng III, addressed the audience and urged freight forwarders to deal with importers honestly and avoid deceptive practices.
In order to keep freight forwarders relevant, according to GIFF President Eddy Akrong, efforts should not be spared in exploring ICT solutions whose benefits would make freight forwarders more appealing to traders.
He urged the minister of transportation to put an end to some arbitrary shipping line fees.
According to Eddy Akrong, the recently established GIFF research hub will make research data available to address problems and offer solutions in the port and shipping sector.
Benonita Bismarck, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, disclosed that the Authority, working with the Committee of Freight Forwarder Associations (COFFA) and the Ghana Union of Traders Association, had contacted shipping lines to streamline procedures and address general service quality concerns in the cargo clearance space in an effort to stop the tide of arbitrariness in the introduction and increases in tariffs.
The Authority will continue to pursue a further reduction to the bare minimum in the interest of shippers, especially in light of recent increases in the daily demurrage rates by some shipping lines combined with the current exchange rate volatility, she added. The 2021 estimates of the amount of demurrage paid by shippers in Ghana showed a significant decline to $19million.
Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong, the Eastern Regional Minister, praised freight forwarders for their significant contribution to the global supply chain.
The freight forwarder is essential to the present global supply chain because of the many duties and tasks he performs. The freight forwarder certainly maintains his significance in the current tumultuous global supply chain, he noted, from Customs Brokerage to compliance, networking, scheduling, inventory management, warehousing, administration, and paperwork.
Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, the minister of transport, asserted that in order to ensure a business environment that is competitive, it is necessary to harmonize and standardize shipping line fees, to bargain for minimum service standards, and—most importantly—to establish robust regulatory frameworks for enforcement and compliance.
He claims that by doing this, the Ports will be protected from the growth of fees, arbitrary fee rises, and decreased service quality and value.
He claimed that leveraging technology and developing alliances and capabilities throughout the whole global supply chain might give service providers a competitive edge.
In order to ensure that members are up to date with current industry trends, he urged the Institute to give the necessary support and capacity building.
According to Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, the Ghana Shippers Authority Act has significant flaws that prevent them from using their authority; as a result, the law will be changed to give them additional authority.
He pointed out that because sustainable shipping is the direction in which the sector is headed, it is important to make sure that the marine sector develops in that direction.
“Some of the interventions being explored by the government include ensuring environmentally friendly ports, establishing legislation for green shipping through technology, and renewable energy along the shipping value chain. Therefore, we must all pursue this plan in our varied roles to ensure green logistics operations along the logistics value chain, he said.