The Director of Finance and Administration of the Ministry of Transport, Mr. Emmanuel Num has commended the Ghana Shippers Authority, the Ghana Maritime Authority and stakeholders of the Ghana Ports for a show of unity of purpose in the implementation of the IMO Sulphur Cap which begins next year.

He spoke that the collaboration towards the facilitated trade by two of the leading maritime organization in Ghana is very crucial and timely, given the global effort towards trade facilitation and improved competitiveness in the global supply chain.

“The Global character of the shipping industry requires that, Ghana aligns itself to the implementation of global shipping and standards. As a prominent member of the IMO and a signatory to the mapwel convention, it has become imperative for Ghana to ensure a smooth implementation of the new IMO 2020 regulation on Sulphur emissions”

“Therefore efforts at trade facilitation are very crucial in our quest to ensure that Ghana remains the preferred destinations for trade investment and a thriving maritime transport sector within the West Africa sub region which are vital for our economic growth as a nation”, he said.

He gave the speech at a Sensitization Seminar held in Kumasi on Thursday, December 12, 2019 for Stakeholders in the maritime Industry on the IMO 2020 Sulphur Cap Implementation at the Miklin Hotel.

The IMO 2020 compliance requires a massive change that will demand rapid adjustments across the global fuel supply chain to comply with the 1 January 2020 deadline. The landmark decision by the International Maritime Organization already has begun to exact far-reaching consequences on shipping company operating costs, global freight rates, shipping economics, scrubber demand, accelerated ship scrappage and more.

The intent of the regulation is to provide environmental and health benefits for ports and nearby coastal areas by progressively decreasing emissions produced by heavy bunker fuels, referred to by the IMO as “Sulphur Oxides (SOx) and particulate matter (PM).”

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The seminar held in the capital of the Ashanti Region according to Mr. Emmanuel Num was purposely to create awareness among shippers in respect to the implementation and how it is likely to impact shipping service providers and shippers in relation to their commercial transactions.

He addressed that the Global IMO Sulphur Cap 2020 regulations specify that every vessel must adhere to strict Sulphur emission limits by January 2020 or face significant consequences including fines and delays in shipping schedules. He expressed that Ghana, as a country need to prepare adequately to ensure that the needed awareness is created and adopt the possible strategies to adhere to the deadline.

The Director of Finance and Administration of the Ministry of Transport further disclosed governments facilitation of an inter-ministerial committee comprising relevant agencies to ensure adequate plans put in place ahead of the country’s readiness in January 2020. A discussion held by the Inter Ministerial Committee made up of government agencies was communicated to the gathering that certain measures were recommended for implementation to avoid any hitches as the date draws by.

He once again commended the efforts of the stakeholders for working together within the frame work of the seminar towards the successful implementation of the IMO 2020 Sulphur Cap Regulations in Ghana.

“We have barely three weeks before the Regulations come into force and I believe that time is of essence in terms of our preparations,” he ended.

The Chairman of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Ashanti Region, Mr. Anthony Oppong voiced that the IMO 2020 implementation is a laudable idea and will help with environmental and health benefits for nearby coastal areas regardless of the challenge traders will face through importation.

Debriefing the press on the issue, Ms Benerita Bismarck, the CEO of Ghana Shippers Authority make known that although government would have to invest much in helping to successfully achieve the IMO objective yet the effect on the health of affected persons is worthwhile.

She revealed that there would be continuous education aside the seminar to get the people informed on the changes related to the Ghana Shippers Authority.  Ms Bismarck encouraged the public to have access to the ‘ShippersApp’ for logistics and shipping information.