The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) has rallied shipping lines operating in the country behind the rollout of the Smart Port Note (SPN), a new advanced shipment information system aimed at improving trade data accuracy and strengthening port efficiency.
The engagement, held at the Ghana Shippers’ House on Monday, 19 January 2026, brought together representatives of shipping lines to brief them on their roles in supporting the implementation of the SPN and to address concerns surrounding its operationalisation. The initiative forms part of government efforts to generate credible trade data to guide economic planning and policy decisions.
Introduced under Legislative Instrument 2190, the SPN is designed to enhance trade facilitation, improve cargo monitoring, strengthen compliance enforcement and ensure the availability of reliable shipping and logistics data. From 1 February 2026, every shipment destined for Ghana, including transit cargo, will be required to have a valid Smart Port Note issued and validated at the port of loading. Each Bill of Lading and shipping manifest must carry a unique SPN code.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Executive Officer of the GSA, Professor Ransford Gyampo, said the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry and the Ministry of Finance were keen to resolve longstanding challenges linked to unreliable trade data. He noted that inaccurate reporting had cost Ghana significant revenue over the years and, in some cases, forced the country to rely on figures from international bodies for economic planning.
Dr Jerry B. Doddu, Chief Executive Officer of Inter Ocean Maritime and Logistics Institute Limited, the SPN implementation partners, said the system would improve vessel turnaround times, reduce exposure to demurrage charges and minimise disputes related to shipping manifests.
The Head of Freight and Logistics at the GSA, Mr Fred Asiedu Dartey, said the SPN aligns with World Trade Organisation and World Customs Organisation requirements on pre-arrival information, a practice already adopted by many countries. He explained that the 1 February commencement date would serve as a pilot phase to identify and address potential bottlenecks.
During the discussions, shipping lines raised concerns about validation procedures, penalties for non-compliance, transshipment processes and transit cargo arrangements, while also calling for more time for staff training. These issues were addressed, with assurances of continued engagement.
In closing remarks, Mr Asiedu Dartey urged shipping lines to support the initiative, describing it as critical to efficient port operations and sound trade policy development.