GSA secures high court refund order against MSG Freight and Cargo Services

The Ghana Shippers' Authority (GSA) says the High Court in Accra has affirmed its authority to enforce regulatory directives and ordered MSG Freight and Cargo Services to refund excess charges paid by a shipper.

The ruling, delivered on July 8, 2026, was in the case of Ghana Shippers' Authority v Maxwell Edzeame (Proprietor of MSG Freight & Cargo Services), Suit No. GJ/0593/2026.

The court directed the shipping service provider to comply with a refund order issued by the GSA under Section 47 of the Ghana Shippers' Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122).

The dispute arose after MSG Freight and Cargo Services allegedly failed to use the applicable commercial exchange rate of its commercial bankers when calculating storage charges.

The error resulted in a shipper being charged more than the amount required.

Following an investigation, the GSA directed the company, which operates as a consolidator, to refund the excess amount to the affected shipper.

The company, however, failed to comply with the directive, compelling the Authority to seek enforcement through the court.

The GSA said the court's decision reinforces its statutory mandate under Act 1122 to regulate Ghana's commercial shipping sector and protect the interests of shippers and other stakeholders in the shipping and logistics industry.

According to the Authority, the judgment also underscores the obligation of service providers to comply with lawful regulatory directives issued by the GSA.

The Authority has consequently reminded companies operating in the shipping and logistics sector to comply with applicable regulations governing charges and commercial transactions with shippers.

It warned that service providers found to be imposing charges contrary to statutory requirements could face regulatory action in accordance with the law.

The GSA said it would continue to use its regulatory powers to promote transparency, predictability, fairness and consistency in shipping and logistics transactions.

“As the regulator of the commercial shipping sector, GSA remains committed to promoting transparency, predictability, fairness and consistency in shipping and logistics transactions; and shall, under the Ghana Shippers' Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122), continue to enforce compliance with the regulatory framework to protect the legitimate interests of all players in the sector,” the statement concluded.