Key takeaways
- Tema Port handled over 95% of Ghana's container traffic in 2024, processing 1,668,688 TEUs against Takoradi's 32,558.
- Ocean rates are a base freight figure plus surcharges such as BAF, THC and congestion fees, so a headline quote is rarely the full cost.
- China to Tema runs roughly 30 to 40 days by sea, while Northern Europe to Tema is closer to 14 to 21 days.
- FCL suits full or high-value loads; LCL lets smaller shipments share a container and pay by volume.
- Request quotes with exact weight, volume, Incoterm and HS codes so forwarders can price all-in rather than base rate only.
If you are shipping goods into Ghana, sea freight is almost always the cheapest way to move volume, and the vast majority of it lands at Tema Port near Accra. This guide covers how sea freight Ghana actually works end to end: the routes and shipping lines that serve the country, how rates and surcharges are built, realistic transit times from major origin ports, and how to turn all of that into an accurate quote. The aim is to help you compare providers and book with confidence, not to teach shipping theory.
How Sea Freight to and From Ghana Works
Sea freight to and from Ghana moves your cargo inside steel containers on scheduled vessel services. A forwarder books space with a carrier, arranges collection and export clearance at origin, loads the container, and the vessel sails to Ghana. On arrival, the container is discharged, cleared through customs, and delivered to your door.
Ghana has two commercial seaports. Tema, just east of Accra, is the gateway for nearly all containerised trade. Takoradi, in the west, handles bulk commodities, project cargo and resource exports such as cocoa and minerals. In 2024 the country moved 1,701,246 TEUs in total, with Tema accounting for 1,668,688 of those against just 32,558 at Takoradi, according to Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority figures reported by MyJoyOnline. That total was up 27.8% on the previous year, a sign of how much trade now flows through the system. For most importers, that means your goods will come through Tema.
There are two ways to buy space. Full Container Load (FCL) gives you an entire 20ft or 40ft box for your cargo alone, priced per container. Less than Container Load (LCL) consolidates your goods with other shippers inside one container, priced by volume or weight. FCL suits larger or higher-value shipments; LCL lets smaller importers ship affordably without paying for empty space.
Major Shipping Routes and Partner Lines
West Africa is served by the same global carriers that run the world's main trade lanes. The lines most active into Tema include Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd and Grimaldi. Between them they operate dedicated West Africa services, roll-on roll-off vessels for vehicles, and feeder links from major transshipment hubs.
Three corridors matter most for Ghanaian importers:
- Asia to West Africa. The largest import lane by volume. Cargo from Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen and Guangzhou typically routes through a transshipment hub such as Singapore, Colombo or Tanger Med before reaching Tema. This is the backbone route for electronics, machinery, textiles and general merchandise.
- Europe to West Africa. Goods from Rotterdam, Antwerp and Mediterranean ports reach Tema either directly or via Algeciras and Tanger Med. This corridor carries a lot of machinery, spare parts, used vehicles and finished goods.
- Americas to West Africa. Services link South and North America to Tema, increasingly positioning Ghana as a regional distribution point.
Tema has invested heavily to keep up. The expanded terminal can now handle ultra-large container vessels, which lets the biggest carriers deploy larger ships and improves schedule reliability. For importers that translates into more sailing options and fewer missed connections. Picking the right line for your lane is part of what a forwarder does, matching your cargo type, budget and deadline to the service that fits.
Understanding Freight Rates and Surcharges
A sea freight quote is never a single number. There is a base ocean freight rate, then a stack of surcharges that can add substantially to the total. Reading a quote properly means knowing what each line item is.
The base rate is driven by the global market, and that market moves constantly. As of 1 October 2026, the Drewry World Container Index put the composite cost at US$4,434 per 40ft container, with Shanghai to Rotterdam at US$3,399, Shanghai to Los Angeles at US$7,835 and Shanghai to New York at US$10,428. Ghana is not on that index, but the benchmark shows how far rates swing by lane and over time, which is why a quote you got last quarter may not hold today.
On top of the base rate, expect some combination of these:
- BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor). A fuel surcharge that rises and falls with bunker prices.
- THC (Terminal Handling Charge). The port's fee for lifting and moving your container, charged at both origin and destination.
- CAF (Currency Adjustment Factor). Protects the carrier against exchange rate swings on non-dollar lanes.
- PSS (Peak Season Surcharge). Applied during busy periods such as the run-up to Christmas or Chinese New Year.
- GRI (General Rate Increase). Periodic carrier-announced increases to the base rate.
- Congestion surcharge. Added when a port is backed up and vessels wait for a berth.
For LCL shipments, you also pay by volume, measured in cubic metres, or by weight if the cargo is dense. The box you fit into is shared, so the arithmetic differs from FCL. Duties and taxes at Tema are separate again, calculated on the customs value of your goods, so build those into your landed-cost estimate from the start.
Transit Times to Key Global Ports
Transit time is port to port sailing time. It does not include booking lead time, inland haulage at origin, or customs clearance in Ghana, so always add a buffer when planning stock. The figures below are typical ranges for FCL into Tema.
| Origin | Corridor | Typical FCL transit |
|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen, China | Asia to West Africa | 30 to 32 days |
| Ningbo, China | Asia to West Africa | 36 to 39 days |
| Shanghai, China | Asia to West Africa | 38 to 40 days |
| Guangzhou, China | Asia to West Africa | around 39 days |
| Rotterdam, Netherlands | Europe to West Africa | 14 to 21 days |
| Antwerp, Belgium | Europe to West Africa | 14 to 21 days |
| Jebel Ali, UAE | Middle East to West Africa | 18 to 25 days |
| US East Coast | Americas to West Africa | 25 to 35 days |
China-origin ranges reflect published sailing times on the main carrier services, and European ranges follow typical direct and transshipment schedules. LCL usually adds several days to each range because consolidation and deconsolidation take time at both ends. A direct service beats one with a transshipment stop, so if speed matters, ask your forwarder which routing a given rate assumes.
Once your container reaches Tema, the clock shifts to clearance and delivery. Having documents ready in advance is the single biggest factor in a smooth release. Our step-by-step guide to clearing goods at Tema Port covers the process so your cargo does not sit accruing storage charges.
Getting a Sea Freight Quote From BJH
An accurate quote depends almost entirely on the detail you provide. To price your shipment properly, a forwarder needs the origin and destination, the exact gross weight and volume (or container type for FCL), a clear cargo description with HS codes, and your agreed Incoterm. With that, the quote can be built as an all-in landed cost rather than a base rate that balloons later.
BJH Logistics handles sea freight into Ghana end to end: booking space on the right line for your lane, managing export documentation, consolidating LCL cargo, clearing your goods through Tema, and arranging road delivery anywhere in the country. Because we quote all-in, you see freight, surcharges, duties and local charges together instead of discovering them one at a time.
Before you request a quote, pull together your commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading details, and confirm your Incoterm so responsibility is clear from factory to final address. Then send us your shipment details, and we will come back with a transit time, a routing and a full cost breakdown you can actually compare against other offers.
Frequently asked questions
How long does sea freight from China to Ghana take?
Most sailings from major Chinese ports to Tema take about 30 to 40 days port to port. Shenzhen can be as quick as 30 to 32 days, while Shanghai and Ningbo usually run 36 to 40 days.
What is the difference between FCL and LCL sea freight?
FCL means you book a full container for your goods alone and pay per container. LCL means your cargo shares a container with other shippers and you pay by volume (cubic metre) or weight, whichever is greater.
Which Ghanaian port should my sea freight use?
Tema Port near Accra handles the vast majority of containerised imports and has the deepest line and terminal coverage. Takoradi mainly serves bulk, project and resource cargo in the west of the country.
What surcharges are added on top of the base sea freight rate?
Common additions include the Bunker Adjustment Factor (fuel), Terminal Handling Charges at both ends, Currency Adjustment Factor, Peak Season Surcharges and, when ports are busy, congestion fees.
How do I get an accurate sea freight quote for Ghana?
Share the origin, destination, exact gross weight and volume, cargo description with HS codes, and your Incoterm. A forwarder like BJH Logistics can then quote an all-in landed figure rather than base freight alone.
