The Cocoa Marketing Company Ghana Limited CMC and international carriers have concluded freight-rate negotiations for the shipment of Ghana’s cocoa during the 2026/27 cocoa season at a conference in Antwerp, Belgium.
The Negotiation led by CMC Managing Director Wisdom Dogbey, the Antwerp Freight Conference brought together the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, 18 carriers and shipping lines, and other stakeholders across the international cocoa shipping and logistics value chain.
The conference focused on securing competitive, reliable and predictable freight arrangements for Ghana’s cocoa exports, while addressing operational issues that could affect the efficiency and cost of moving cocoa to international markets.
A major outcome of the engagement is the conclusion of freight rate negotiations between CMC, the Ghana Shippers’ Authority and participating carriers and shipping lines.
The discussions take into consideration developments in the global shipping market and the need to maintain competitive, reliable and predictable freight arrangements for Ghana’s cocoa exports.
Dogbey says the engagement is important to ensuring that CMC maintains effective logistics arrangements capable of supporting the movement of cocoa to international markets.
“Reliable freight arrangements are critical to the efficient movement of Ghana’s cocoa to our international markets.”
Managing Director CMC, Wisdom Dogbey
He adds that the conference enables CMC and its shipping partners to address operational requirements early and strengthen coordination throughout the export process.
“Beyond the freight rates, we are focused on operational efficiency and ensuring that all stakeholders understand their respective responsibilities throughout the export chain.’’
Managing Director CMC, Wisdom Dogbey
Under the arrangements discussed at the conference, shipping lines continue to provide dressing materials and position empty containers at designated cocoa stuffing areas.
CMC Remains Responsible and Diligent Towards Work
The shipping lines also bear the associated lift-on/lift-off costs, while CMC remains responsible for dressing and stuffing the containers, delivering full boxes to designated terminals, and fogging both empty and laden containers.
The clearly defined responsibilities are intended to improve coordination between CMC and the shipping lines and reduce potential delays in the movement of export cargo.
Another key area of the discussions is export documentation. Carriers and shipping lines are encouraged to release non-negotiable Bills of Lading to CMC within 24 hours of vessel sailing.
The measure is expected to improve predictability in documentation and facilitate the efficient movement of cocoa cargo through the export chain.
CMC also continues to work with relevant stakeholders to promote uniformity in lift-on/lift-off charges throughout the cocoa season.
The company further seeks to maintain stable prices for desiccants and other related materials used in the cocoa export process.
These arrangements form an important part of CMC’s logistics management strategy as the company works to control export related costs while meeting contractual obligations to international buyers.
The efficiency of the logistics chain remains significant to Ghana’s cocoa export operations because delays, unpredictable charges or disruptions in documentation can affect the movement of cocoa from stuffing locations to designated terminals and onward to overseas markets.
Antwerp Conference Beyond Negotiations
The Antwerp conference therefore extends beyond negotiations on freight rates. It creates an avenue for CMC and its partners to review operational processes, clarify responsibilities and strengthen coordination ahead of and during the cocoa season.
The engagement also reinforces the relationship between Ghana’s cocoa marketing and export system and international shipping partners responsible for transporting the commodity to major consuming regions.
Ghana’s cocoa is transported to markets across Europe, the Far East and South America, making effective international shipping arrangements an important component of the country’s cocoa export operations.
CMC says the continued engagement with carriers and shipping lines helps to reinforce the systems that connect Ghana’s cocoa to these international markets.
The company expresses appreciation to the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, participating carriers, shipping lines and other stakeholders for their contribution to the success of the Antwerp Freight Conference.
The Managing Director says CMC values the continued cooperation of its logistics partners as the company works to strengthen operational performance.
“Our objective is to maintain strong global partnerships while ensuring that Ghana’s cocoa reaches its destinations efficiently and reliably.”
Marketing Director CMC, Wisdom Dogbey
As the 2026/27 cocoa season progresses, CMC remains focused on operational excellence, competitive logistics, effective coordination and strong partnerships across the international shipping and cocoa value chain.
The arrangements reached in Antwerp provide a framework for continued collaboration between CMC and its logistics partners, while supporting the efficient delivery of Ghana’s cocoa to global markets.
READ ALSO:Alfred Appiah Highlights Timing Crucial Amid Gold Declines
