By Fiona Benson
The House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Affairs has issued a directive for the Customs Brokers Association of Liberia to compile a comprehensive report on the constraints and challenges faced by importers and stakeholders at the various ports, including the Freeport of Monrovia.
The directives were issued by Maryland County Electoral District #3 Representative and chair of the Committee Austin B.Taylor.
It followed ongoing concerns over regulatory, oversight, fee structures, and transparency in the maritime sector.
During a hearing on Wednesday, October 22, the vice President of the Customs Brokers Association of Liberia, Innis Zogar, provided a detailed account of systemic issues plaguing the industry.
He highlighted the lack of clear regulation over shipping lines, and CTN, arbitrary fee increases, and the absence of prior notification for policy changes.
“Nobody can tell you why shipping fees increase from US$50 to US$1,500 overnight; nobody monitors or justifies these charges,” Zogar said.
He said stakeholders are often caught unprepared, without prior warning or transparency, unlike international practices where policy changes are announced well in advance.
Zogar also addressed the ongoing problem of the “Container Deposit,” a security fee paid by importers for containers that is often not refunded.
Despite a proposal by the Association to establish a guarantee system, and develop a software platform to manage funds, shipping lines and GTMS have refused to cooperate, leading to persistent challenges.
He noted that the fees for delivery and detention have surged over the years, with some vessels paying millions in demurrage, yet without regulatory oversight or tax accountability.
Mr. Zogar said the absence of a regulatory authority overseeing shipping charges, which has resulted into inconsistent, and unstandardized fees.
“Shipping lines just increased their fees arbitrarily. There is no standardization or regulation,” he said, adding that the lack of transparency hampers the growth of the maritime trade.
In light of these issues, the Committee’s motion, seconded by several members, called for a detailed investigation into the sector operations, including a review of the challenges faced at ports and the impact on national trade.
The Committee also thanked invited stakeholders for their participation, and announced that a formal report would be shared with relevant authorities for further action.