The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) has announced the deferment of the rollout of the Smart Port Note (SPN), originally scheduled to take effect on 1 February 2026.
In a public notice issued on Tuesday, the Authority said the decision follows the emergence of issues requiring further clarification and alignment with key stakeholders after an initial notice was released on 23 December 2025.
The SPN, an advanced shipment information system, was expected to become mandatory for all cargo bound for Ghana, with the load-on-board date set for the start of February. However, the GSA said additional consultations are necessary to resolve outstanding concerns before full implementation.
According to the statement, the deferment will allow for another round of stakeholder engagements to ensure a smoother and more effective rollout of the system. The Authority did not specify the nature of the issues identified but stressed the importance of broad-based consensus ahead of implementation.
The GSA said a new commencement date for the SPN will be announced in due course.
The Smart Port Note is intended to improve trade data accuracy, strengthen cargo monitoring and enhance compliance within Ghana’s shipping and logistics sector.