Ernest Addo writes
Global name in shipping and logistics supply chain solutions for managing shipments and cargo-MAERSK- is in an uncomfortable spotlight over the circumstances under which, what appears to be a cargo hijacking syndicate, succeeded in diverting three containers to phony companies under its watch at the Tema Port, in Accra.
Documents in the possession of New Crusading GUIDE reveal that quietly and probably unknown to operation chiefs at freight corridors in their offices across Europe, Asia and America, a syndicate is operating a cargo dribble machine in which cargo sources are switched and altered with huge risks to owners of cargoes that engaged the services of the lead global shipping line after the famed Maersk.
A pile of documents in the tray of the New Crusading GUIDE reveals, for instance that a Bill of Lading processed and paid for by Atlantic Routes Shipping Inc to MAERSK Canada and consigned to its local agent, Starlink Logistics Company Inc., and stamped in Ghana, was diverted and now had a certain PAULA AMINU as the sender and consigned to Top Star Shipping Company Limited, for payment and clearance of the diverted cargo in a document processed for clearance at the GRA.
The five-packaged cargo cited on the MAERSK bill of lading include used automobiles, personal belongings, fridges, mobile phones amongst others.
A GRA Customs Division documents in the hands of the New Crusading GUIDE however, has a Top Star Shipping Company Limited, processed to clear the cargoes and pay stipulated amount, while the original owner is dribbled and put to financial jeopardy and hefty loss.
That act of cargo dribble became possible, the paper gathered, because an interception from a syndicate diverted the cargo to Top Star Shipping Company Limited which company allegedly changed the name of the importer to something else.
Instead of the importer having his cargo and paying for it on relevant documentation, he could not because the name of the lawful client was changed and the Bill of Lading reassigned to another company to process the cargo to another person not authorised by original MAERSK documentation to receive it.
The game, top GRA Customs Divisions sources, insist, is rife on the West African coast and ports and involves networks that appear to be so entrenched that it would take extra vigilance by state actors to fight it in an illegal sector in which billions of dollars are fleeced from ordinary exporters annually.
New Crusading GUIDE has gathered that so monstrous is the canker and deception that MAERSK, clearly embarrassed, has refused to put up a fight, after the sub-regional Operations Chief and attorneys stumbled upon the level of harm some of their staff had allegedly caused at ports in parts of West Africa, including Ghana.
Worst still, Atlantic Routes Shipping Inc. has sued Maersk Ghana over the dribble but the company of international repute has not even entered appearance, much more mounting a defence to the suit.
Also, a letter, dated 26 August, 2024, addressed to Maersk by Atlantic Routes Shipping Inc demanding answers has yet to be responded to.
Read excerpts of the letter written by Lawyer Ernest Agbesi Normenyo for Atlantic Routes Shipping Inc: The said items or container was consigned to Starlink Logistics Company Inc, which company is an agent of our client, charged with clearing the container or goods when same arrives at the final point of discharge or delivery.
- It has however come to our client’s attention that despite the fact that it (our client)
is the shipper on whose instructions and behalf the items were shipped, documents sighted shows that the name of our client was changed as the shipper into another company’s name.
- Subsequently, based on some representations made by a supposed broker, Golden Freight Services, the said container with Bill of Lading No. 239052425 was reassigned to Top Star Shipping Company Limited.
- We wish to state the said container with Bill of Lading No. 239052425 was shipped by our client and that Golden Freight Services does not act for and on behalf of our client in this transaction neither did the Golden Freight Services have the consent of our client to also request for a change of consignee.
- Our client, as shipper has not consented to any change in its designation as shipper. Our client does not also have any business dealing with Top Star Shipping Company Limited neither has our client communicated nor consented to the change of its consignee from Starlink Logistics Company Inc to Top Star Shipping Company Limited.
- In light of the fact that our client did not authorize the said change and is also not aware of any discussions leading to same, we are interested in knowing the processes leading to the change especially when such a process leading to a change in consignee will require authorization from our client, which authorization or confirmation ought to be confirmed by your outfit for same to be affected.
Meanwhile, when this paper reached out to Maersk Ghana for its response to the criminal allegation via its corporate email, the company responded that: Dear Customer,
Thank you for contacting Maersk on 14/01/2025 with the following case number 2501-298698371.
We aim to respond and resolve your case as quickly as possible, if we need additional information to do so we will contact you.
Please note all payer change related requests will be processed within 4 hours by our Customer Service teams. If this email is with regards to a payer change, for better handing of your request we will forward it to Customer Services.
In future, please write directly to customer service in case your requirement is only pertaining to change of payers. You can find contact information for your local Customer Service here – https://www.maersk.com/local-information
Should you wish to view the latest details around your case and its status at any time, please go to MyCases. If you have further queries about the case you can contact us via Contact Us or simply reply to this email.
A copy of your request has been attached to this auto notification.
Maersk’s answer clearly did not respond to the criminal allegations.
Read below the email the New Crusading GUIDE fired to Maersk:
I write to request your assistance in unfolding a story which we believe is
in the public interest.
The story has to do with alleged ongoings in the operations of shipping
lines, particularly globally acclaimed Maersk Shipping Lines.
We believe this exercise is crucial in enabling famed supply chain actors
like Maersk to tighten its operation:
In that regard we would appreciate it if you could field answers to these
questions to enable us present a balanced story to our cherished readers
tomorrow.
1. Is Cargo swapping a normal feature of the industry?
2. What check do global operators like Maersk put in place to address such critical issues?
3. Does Maersk have structures in dealing with culprits who engage in Cargo swapping?
4. The New Crusading GUIDE has a story on Cargo swap that smells of syndicate activity. Is the Maersk office Canada aware of a Bill of Lading number 239052425 in the name of Atlantic Routes Shipping Inc. was reassigned to Top Star Shipping Company Limited.
Sincerely Yours
Ernest Addo
(Editor)
More soon.
