Shipping to and from Ghana

MSC Ghana has been supporting customers to ship cargo in and out of the Republic of Ghana since 2007. Today, we operate five dedicated services, connecting 200 global routes and moving more than 200,000 TEU every year.

Awards for MSC GHANA

Export Liner of the Year 2019 by Ghana shippers Authority
Ghana Cocoa awards Shipping Line of the Year 2021

Contact our local MSC Ghana team to request a quote, book or find out more about our local services

LOCAL OFFICES INFORMATION

Detention, demurrage, Per Diem and storage charges

What is detention?
Detention is the charge applicable on export containers when containers remain with customers and not returned full for export before the free days expire.

What is demurrage?
Demurrage is the charge applicable when the free days expire on import containers until they are returned empty to our depot.

In case of a demurrage dispute, email GH526-helpdesk.tema@msc.com (with as email subject: Dispute + Invoice Number), describing the reasons for the dispute.

SOLAS VGM information for Ghana

What is VGM?
Verified Gross Mass or VGM refers to the exact, verified weight of a packed container. For safety reasons, vessel operators can only load a container if its weight has been verified.

In line with Safety of Lives at Sea (SOLAS) regulations, we request all our export customers to provide VGM certificate before cargo is loaded. Customers use third party VGM service providers to weigh their containers.

What to include in VGM instructions
You must include the following on all VGM instructions:

Booking or Bill of Lading (BL) number
Container number
VGM and weight measurement unit (lbs or kgs)
Name of responsible party

How to submit VGM instructions
VGM instructions should be submitted on myMSC (free of charge).

Prohibited cargo

As per general MSC rules and subject to the destination of the shipment, the following are prohibited:

Fireworks, ammunition, small arms
Second-hand empty gas cylinders
Frozen turkey tails
Ammonium nitrate
Second-hand mattresses
Second-hand tyres (subject to the approval of MSC Ghana)
Used refrigerators, used fridge-freezers, used freezers and used refrigeration compressors (motors)

In line with Ghana's obligations under the Montreal Protocol and The Energy Efficiency Regulations, 2008 (L.I.1932), the government of Ghana has completely banned the import of used refrigerators, used fridge-freezers, used freezers and used refrigeration compressors (motors). Booking agents should immediately stop accepting such cargo to Ghana (Tema and Takoradi) as MSC may be held responsible when discharging containers infringing the law.

List of terminals

Ports and terminals
MSC operates services to and from the following ports and terminals in Ghana, with local teams in each location to support our customers.

Terminal Name	MSC Code	Port	UNCode
GHANA PORT AND HARBOUR AUTHORITIES	GHTEMGP	TEMA	GHTEM
MERIDIAN PORT SERVICE LIMITED	GHTEMMP	TEMA	GHTEM
GHANA PORT AND HARBOURS AUTHORITY	GHTKDGP	TAKORADI	GHTKD
ATLANTIC PORT SERVICES	TBA	TAKORADI	GHTKD

Cargo Loading

MSC's cargo handling facilities are strategically located to ensure the efficient and timely loading of goods for export and import. We also provide cargo consolidation, loading and re-loading, packing, unpacking and cross-loading services from containers to trucks.

Container Weighing (VGM)

All MSC local offices provide certified scales to record and verify container weight (verified gross mass or VGM) in line with Safety of Lives at Sea (SOLAS) regulations. VGM instructions are mandatory for all shipments for safety reasons and vessel operators can only load a container if its weight has been appropriately verified. Contact your local MSC team for more information and support.

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