Ghana has incurred an estimated US$46.73 million in petroleum demurrage charges in 2026, with the growing financial burden raising concerns about inefficiencies in the country’s fuel import and distribution system. Corrections Policy
The Centre for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy (CEMSE), a policy think tank, has warned that the additional costs could translate into higher fuel prices for consumers, potentially adding between 47 and 60 pesewas to every litre of petroleum products sold at the pumps.
In a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, 2026, the organisation attributed the rising expenditure largely to persistent delays in discharging imported petroleum products at the country’s ports.
According to CEMSE, Ghana’s heavy dependence on a single major petroleum discharge facility at the Tema Port has contributed significantly to the problem, leaving vessels waiting longer than expected before they can unload their cargo.
The organisation explained that the situation has become increasingly expensive as petroleum imports and the number of companies operating within the downstream petroleum sector have expanded without a corresponding improvement in discharge infrastructure.
CEMSE estimates that demurrage charges currently account for between 2.63 per cent and 3.35 per cent of retail fuel prices.
This means consumers may indirectly bear the financial consequences of operational delays within the petroleum supply chain.
Demurrage refers to charges imposed by shipping companies when vessels remain at ports beyond the agreed time allocated for loading or unloading cargo.
In petroleum imports, these expenses can accumulate when tankers carrying fuel are unable to discharge their products promptly.
Although the charges are initially incurred by companies involved in importing petroleum products, they can eventually become part of the overall cost of bringing fuel into the domestic market.
For Ghana, where petroleum products remain essential to transportation, manufacturing, agriculture and commercial activities, such additional expenses can have wider economic implications.
CEMSE’s latest findings also highlight the rapid expansion of Ghana’s petroleum import market over the past decade. Editorial Standards
According to the organisation, petroleum product inflows increased by approximately 73 per cent, rising from 3.53 million metric tonnes in 2015 to 6.09 million metric tonnes in 2025.
Over the same period, the number of Bulk Oil Distribution and Export Companies operating in the country increased from 37 to 53.
However, the Centre argues that investment in alternative petroleum discharge facilities has not kept pace with the growth in imports and industry participation.
This imbalance has increased pressure on existing facilities, creating operational bottlenecks that expose importers to longer vessel waiting periods and additional shipping charges.
The latest US$46.73 million estimate also follows an estimated US$61.6 million in demurrage exposure in 2025, significantly exceeding the historical annual estimate of approximately US$35 million.
The figures highlight the growing financial consequences of delays in Ghana’s petroleum logistics system and the need for structural improvements to reduce avoidable expenditure.
CEMSE has also raised concerns about a reported 15-year exclusivity arrangement granted to a South African entity in 2015.
The organisation believes the arrangement may have discouraged investment in competing petroleum discharge infrastructure, potentially limiting the development of alternative facilities that could ease congestion at Tema Port.
It is therefore calling on the government to review the arrangement and remove regulatory barriers that could prevent other private investors from participating in the development of petroleum discharge facilities.
The Centre further wants government to establish a transparent regulatory framework capable of attracting investment into alternative mooring infrastructure. Editorial Ethics & Independence
According to CEMSE, increasing the number of available discharge facilities would improve competition, reduce vessel congestion and strengthen the efficiency of petroleum imports.
Such investments could also help create a more resilient supply chain by reducing the country’s dependence on a single major discharge location.
The potential benefits extend beyond petroleum importers. Lower demurrage expenses could reduce pressure on fuel pricing, improve operational efficiency for businesses and limit avoidable foreign exchange payments associated with shipping delays.
Transport operators, commercial drivers and businesses that depend heavily on petroleum products could also benefit if improvements in the supply chain help reduce costs passed on to consumers.
However, addressing the problem will require coordination among government agencies, port authorities, petroleum regulators, importers and private infrastructure investors.
Improved vessel scheduling, efficient port operations, adequate storage capacity and investment in alternative discharge facilities could all contribute to reducing unnecessary delays.
For consumers, the central concern is whether these operational challenges will continue contributing to higher fuel prices at a time when petroleum costs already influence the prices of transportation, food and other essential goods.
CEMSE’s warning therefore places renewed attention on the need for long-term reforms in Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector.
The organisation maintains that expanding discharge infrastructure and reviewing existing regulatory arrangements are important steps towards eliminating avoidable costs.
Until these structural challenges are addressed, Ghana risks continuing to spend millions of dollars on delays that do not increase the volume of fuel available to the country.
The latest US$46.73 million estimate serves as a reminder that improving the efficiency of petroleum imports is not simply an industry concern but an important part of protecting consumers and strengthening the wider economy.