In a bid to tackle chronic congestion at Ghana’s ports, the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has proposed the establishment of rail‑linked holding depots for empty shipping containers. Executive Secretary Samson Asaki Awingobit explained that limited space for receiving empty containers at port terminals is a key driver of congestion and exposes importers and truck operators to extra charges.
Awingobit outlined his plan during a courtesy visit to the Ghana Railway Development Authority, suggesting that suitable sites along the railway network be converted into storage facilities where empty containers can be parked and retrieved when needed by shipping lines. "You can always send the empty containers there and bring them when the vessel is ready," he said.
The proposal also targets the financial burden on importers when containers cannot be returned promptly. Trucks often remain parked at terminal yards for days, incurring retention fees that add to transport costs and ultimately raise consumer prices. Awingobit argued that the additional charges undermine efforts to reduce the cost of doing business in Ghana.
Beyond container management, the IEAG is calling for stronger collaboration among the railway authority, port operators, shipping lines and other stakeholders to improve cargo movement and logistics efficiency. The association also advocates greater use of rail transport to move cargo from ports to inland locations, which could reduce road traffic and ease pressure on the national road network.
Awingobit assured the railway authority of the association’s support for initiatives to improve freight transportation, while emphasizing that the IEAG would hold relevant institutions accountable for delivering on their commitments.
Should the rail‑linked depots materialise, they could provide alternative storage for empty containers, reduce delays in the return process and free up critical port capacity, potentially lowering import costs and enhancing Ghana’s competitiveness in global trade.
