High Court Upholds GSA’s GH¢720 Port Charge Cap, Dismisses Shipping Agents’ Injunction Bid
The High Court has definitively dismissed an interlocutory injunction application brought by the Ship Owners and Agents Association of Ghana (SOAAG) and several shipping agents, thereby validating the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) GH¢720 cap on port charges. The ruling, delivered on Friday, July 10, 2026, effectively allows the GSA’s Regulatory Directive, issued on May 11, 2026, to remain in full force and effect.
The GSA, in a statement released following the court’s decision, highlighted that the court found the directive had already taken effect upon its issuance. Consequently, the court declined to grant the injunction sought by SOAAG and its members, which aimed to halt the implementation of the Container Administrative Charge (CAC) capped at GH¢720 per Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU). The court further underscored that granting the injunction would have obstructed the GSA’s statutory regulatory mandate.
This judicial affirmation means the Regulatory Directive of May 11, 2026, is now unequivocally valid and operational. The GSA has consequently instructed all shipping lines and their agents to comply immediately and fully with the directive. Non-compliance will expose shipping lines and agents to significant regulatory and enforcement measures, as stipulated by Sections 36 and 47 of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122), and any other pertinent legislation.
The Authority has also called upon importers, exporters, freight forwarders, and the broader shipping community to report any instances of non-compliance through its established channels. This proactive measure aims to ensure swift regulatory action and uphold the integrity of the directive.
The GSA reiterated its commitment to fostering a balanced and enabling environment for businesses within Ghana’s commercial shipping sector. The Authority stated its dedication to protecting the interests of both shippers and shipping lines through continued dialogue and fair regulation. This ruling reinforces the GSA’s resolve to promote transparency, fairness in shipping service charges, and contribute to the government’s objective of reducing the cost of doing business in Ghana.
