Ghana has accumulated an estimated US$46.73 million in demurrage charges on petroleum imports in 2026, a development that could increase the cost of petrol and diesel by between 47 and 60 pesewas per litre, according to the Centre for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy (CEMSE).
The policy think tank says the growing financial burden is largely linked to delays in discharging imported petroleum products, particularly Ghana’s heavy dependence on a single major petroleum discharge facility at the Tema Port.
In a statement released on Thursday, November 5, CEMSE explained that demurrage payments currently represent between 2.63% and 3.35% of retail fuel pump prices. These additional expenses contribute to the overall cost of petroleum products and could place further pressure on consumers.
The organisation attributed the rising demurrage charges to the rapid expansion of Ghana’s petroleum import volumes and downstream oil industry without a corresponding increase in alternative facilities for receiving fuel shipments.
Available figures indicate that Ghana’s petroleum product imports increased by approximately 73%, rising from 3.53 million metric tonnes in 2015 to 6.09 million metric tonnes in 2025.
During the same period, the number of Bulk Oil Distribution and Export Companies (BIDECs) operating in the country increased from 37 to 53.
However, CEMSE argues that investment in alternative petroleum discharge and mooring infrastructure has failed to keep pace with the industry’s expansion. Consequently, fuel-importing vessels face congestion, extended waiting periods and additional demurrage costs.
The latest US$46.73 million estimate for 2026 comes after Ghana recorded an estimated US$61.6 million in demurrage exposure in 2025, significantly exceeding the historical annual estimate of US$35 million.
CEMSE Questions Exclusive Petroleum Discharge Arrangement
The policy think tank has also raised concerns about a reported 15-year exclusivity agreement granted to a South African entity in 2015, arguing that the arrangement may have limited competition and discouraged private-sector investment in alternative petroleum discharge facilities.
CEMSE is therefore calling on the government to review the agreement, address regulatory restrictions and introduce a transparent policy framework to attract private investors into the development of additional petroleum mooring infrastructure.
According to the organisation, expanding Ghana’s petroleum discharge capacity would help reduce congestion at the Tema Port, minimise vessel waiting times and improve the efficiency of fuel importation and distribution.
Demurrage Charges Could Increase Fuel Prices in Ghana
For ordinary Ghanaians, the major concern is the potential impact of rising petroleum import costs on petrol and diesel prices.
CEMSE warns that inefficiencies within the petroleum supply chain could ultimately be transferred to consumers through higher fuel pump prices.
An increase in fuel prices could also have wider economic consequences, including higher transportation fares, increased operating expenses for businesses and rising costs of goods and services.
The think tank believes that addressing Ghana’s petroleum import infrastructure challenges is essential to reducing avoidable expenditure, improving energy sector efficiency and protecting consumers from unnecessary fuel price increases.
Source: newsthemegh.com