The Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), through its Port and Infrastructure Committee (PIC), has engaged the Meridian Port Services Limited (MPS) on ways to improve shipping services at the MPS Terminal 3 of the Tema harbour.

This follows reports that shippers and transporters were breaching protocol by using rickety vehicles to pick containers, trucks

after scanning, and delays in shipping line notification for export-tagged containers.

The shippers, on the other hand, had also complained about examination delays at the terminal and the absence of a weighing scale among others, with a request for specialised forklifts to enhance operations at the terminal.

In order to resolve these issues, the PIC, led by the Board Chairperson of the GSA, Ms Stella Wilson, and the Commissioner of the Customs Division of the GRA, Alhaji Seidu Iddrisu Iddisah, visited

the MPS last Wednesday.

Updating the media on the outcome of the meeting, Ms Wilson said the committee had fruitful discussions with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MPS, Mr Mohammed Samara,on the reports received on the state of services at the terminal.

She said the two organisations would explore other areas of collaboration to ensure effective resolution of the challenges and advance shipping in the country.

"Our aim is to have a better understanding of the technicalities involved in your operations to enable us to assist shippers with their complaints," she said.

For his part, Mr Samara said that management was working to ensure that services of the MPS were mutually beneficial to all stakeholders.

To that end, he said the terminal has leveraged on advanced technologies such as the Truck Appointment System (TAS) to enhance operations at the Port.

He further said that the adaptation of the TAS had led to a reduction in the time required for the clearing of goods, putting Ghana on her way to becoming a hub for trade in West Africa.