{
  "id": 5066024,
  "title": "The Million- Dollar Problem Sitting Offshore – Why Ghana’s Cement Makers Are Preparing To Add GH¢12 To Every Bag",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/the-million-dollar-problem-sitting-offshore-why-ghanas-cement-makers",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-02T10:14:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Guide Network",
    "slug": "daily-guide-network",
    "url": "https://dailyguidenetwork.com/the-million-dollar-problem-sitting-offshore-why-ghanas-cement-makers-are-preparing-to-add-gh%c2%a212-to-every-bag/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghana's cement manufacturers are preparing to add GH¢12 per bag to cement prices, citing operational challenges stemming from severe congestion at Tema Port. Key to the issue is the phenomenon of clinker demurrage surcharge, a provision aimed at covering steep penalties for vessels idle at anchorage. The industry reports losses of between US$45 million and US$50 million in 2023, primarily due to extended waiting times for clinker, the primary raw material in cement production. While clinker typically takes 70 days to clear Tema Port, delays have ballooned to 40 days, exacerbating the situation. Daily vessel demurrage fees have surged to approximately US$27,000 per day, meaning a vessel stuck for 40 days incurs over US$1 million in penalties. The extended lead time creates a structural bottleneck, with clinker traveling from China for 70 days and then stuck in port for another 35-40 days. This creates a structural bottleneck if port congestion persists. The industry stresses that the GH¢12 surcharge is temporary and tied to quarterly reviews, aiming to isolate the cost from standard price hikes. Industry stakeholders are also calling for broader inter-agency collaboration to resolve the port bottleneck, with manufacturers acknowledging ongoing discussions with key government stakeholders, including the Ministries of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry and Transport. They emphasize that port infrastructure and berthing availability remain severely constrained. Solutions like optimizing access to Berths 10 and 11 could help clear the vessel backlog and eliminate the surcharge. The cement makers emphasize a collaborative approach, highlighting that addressing port congestion will resolve the demurrage burden and the need for the surcharge. Until port operations are streamlined, however, the industry faces financial realities, including the need to pass on the cost of prolonged offshore delays.",
  "summary": "There is trouble brewing offshore, and Ghana’s cement manufacturers want to make sure the public understands the operational realities driving their latest pricing decision. Sources close to the sector Read More... The post The Million- Dollar Problem Sitting Offshore – Why Ghana’s Cement Makers Are Preparing To Add GH¢12 To Every Bag appeared first on DailyGuide Network .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "The million-dollar problem sitting offshore: Why Ghana’s cement makers are adding GH¢12 to every bag",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/the-million-dollar-problem-sitting-offshore-why-ghanas-cement-makers-5068094",
        "published": "2026-09-02T10:35:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "The million-dollar problem sitting offshore: Why Ghana’s cement makers are adding GH¢12 to every bag",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/the-million-dollar-problem-sitting-offshore-why-ghanas-cement-makers-5073754",
        "published": "2026-09-02T11:28:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}