Tema High Court slaps shipping lines with GH¢ 54,000 for filing defence out of time

The Tema High Court has fined 18 shipping lines a total of GH¢54,000 for failing to file their defence on time in a case brought by Johnny Mantey, Tema District Chair of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders.

Mantey, through his lawyer Noah Adamtey, sued the companies on January 21, 2025, for breaching the Shipping Authority Act 1122 by not submitting their service charges for approval to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.

Despite entering a conditional appearance on January 31, the defendants missed legal deadlines for seeking a dismissal and later failed to submit their defence within 14 days.

Although the plaintiff initially filed for a default judgment, the motion was withdrawn. Justice Cynthia Wiredu imposed the fine, and proceedings are set to continue.