The Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, Ghana (COCMAG) has introduced a temporary GH¢12 surcharge per bag of cement to help manufacturers absorb rising demurrage costs caused by severe congestion at the Tema Port.
The surcharge comprises GH¢10 before tax and GH¢2 in applicable taxes and levies and is intended specifically to cushion cement manufacturers against the exceptional costs arising from prolonged delays in the discharge of clinker vessels.
The decision was taken at an emergency meeting held on Friday, August 28, 2026, according to COCMAG Chairman, Dr George Dawson-Ahmoah.
He said the industry was facing “unprecedented delays in the discharge of clinker vessels and escalating demurrage charges.”
COCMAG said average vessel waiting times at the Tema Port had risen sharply from about seven days in January 2026 to between 30 and more than 40 days in August.
The Chamber estimates that the prolonged delays have resulted in industry-wide demurrage costs of between US$45 million and US$50 million during the first eight months of 2026.
Individual vessels are also reportedly incurring demurrage charges ranging from US$800,000 to US$1 million, further increasing the financial burden on manufacturers and raising concerns about the reliability of clinker supplies.
COCMAG stressed that the GH¢12 charge should not be regarded as a general increase in cement prices but as a temporary measure specifically introduced to recover extraordinary demurrage expenses resulting from the port congestion.
The surcharge will remain in force until December 31, 2026, subject to monthly monitoring of conditions at the port.
The Chamber said it would conduct a formal review in January 2027 to determine whether the measure should be adjusted or discontinued.
Limited Berth Capacity
COCMAG attributed the worsening congestion partly to limited berth availability for clinker discharge at the Tema Port.
According to the Chamber, only three main berths are currently available for clinker discharge, while Berths 10 and 11 remain inaccessible to cement importers and manufacturers.
It said the restricted access had contributed significantly to the extended waiting periods for vessels transporting clinker, a critical raw material for cement production.
COCMAG Chairman Frederic Albrecht and Chief Executive Officer, Bishop Dr George Dawson-Ahmoah, expressed concern about the impact of the situation on the cement and construction industries.
They warned that if the congestion persists, shipping cycles could extend to almost three months, potentially disrupting the regular supply of cement to the Ghanaian market.
The Chamber said prolonged disruptions could negatively affect construction activities if manufacturers were unable to obtain regular and timely supplies of clinker.
Calls for Urgent Intervention
COCMAG said it was engaging the Government and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to find urgent solutions to the congestion.
Among the measures being pursued are efforts to reduce vessel waiting times, improve berth capacity and restore access to Berths 10 and 11 for clinker vessels.
The Chamber said resolving the underlying port challenges was essential to preventing further accumulation of demurrage costs and safeguarding the stability of clinker supplies.
It reiterated that the surcharge was strictly temporary and would be reviewed as soon as conditions at the Tema Port improve.
COCMAG said its preferred outcome was for port operations to return to normal, allowing manufacturers to eliminate the extraordinary demurrage costs and subsequently withdraw the surcharge.
The Chamber reaffirmed its commitment to working with government and port authorities to stabilise the cement industry and minimise the impact of the congestion on manufacturers, consumers and the wider construction sector.
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