No Shipping line is charging Ebola levy

The Ship Owners and Agents Association of Ghana (SOAAG) has said no shipping line is charging Ebola levy as reported in a section of the Ghanaian media.

This follows reports that Hapag Lloyds, a shipping line in the country had started charging Ebola levy.

A statement signed by Ms Perpetua Osei-Bonsu, Executive Secretary, SOOAG, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Tema, said “Hapag Lloyds had not imposed any Ebola levy even though a corporate policy had been taken to that effect at the global level in the wake of the Ebola crises.”

According to the statement, “No other shipping line operating in the country imposes Ebola levy” adding that “just a little effort on the part of the reporter to confirm with the shipping lines would have given the true state of affairs instead of causing public disaffection for shipping by this publication.”

The statement said for the sake of good order, Hapag Lloyds had “even followed up to remove the said notice from its website.”

“SOOAG being thoughtful of the ravaging impact of the Ebola epidemic on mankind had played a meaningful role in the discussions leading to the formation of the Ghana Ports’ Ebola Policy.”

According to the statement, Ship captains calling at Ghana ports from Ebola infected countries are mandated to make available health information of the crew and also provide protective materials such as sanitizers and gloves for the use of the port health officials who board the vessels to conduct health checks.

“To facilitate the visit of port health officials to these vessels while at anchorage, our members have taken it upon themselves to hire the services of patrol launches for their use.

Indeed, discussions are still ongoing with the Port health system concerning any additional support that could be offered to sustain the Ebola Policy.”

“We assure the media of the Association’s cooperation at all times to enable them to come up with a balanced story on issues concerning its members who are respectable and responsible companies operating in the country,” the statement added.