Statistics continues to play an increasingly important role in nearly all aspects of human endeavour. In recent times, the advent of globalisation has made statistics even more influential in decision making and implementation.

In the area of international maritime trade and transport, competitiveness in the global market place is determined by the availability of accurate and timely information in which statistics enjoys a pride of place.

This may comprise data on route analysis, freight rate movements, cost quality and time factors, new orders, market structure and share analysis etc. The desire of government to make Ghana the gateway to the west African sub region through an export led growth amongst others makes the ready availability of such statistics even more imperative.
The Ghana shippers authority has thus continued to provide relevant maritime statistics to all stakeholders in furtherance of the objectives of government.

The information provided in this compilation would be useful to budding entrepreneurs preparing to enter today's fast-paced, ever changing business environment not to mention its importance for the survival of those already in the business.

The statistical information provided by the Authority places emphasis on the ports of Tema and Takoradi. It is available on quarterly and yearly basis. The five and ten year volumes are compiled to socio-economic decision making on maritime trade and transport and furnish researchers, bankers, shippers, and transporters with useful data for the needed analysis in the entire maritime industry

This issue is intended to give a comprehensive overview of Ghana's seaborne trade covering the period 1999 to 2003.

It explicitly shows performance of shipping lines, cargo throughput and direction of trade.

In view of the importance of the Ghanaian Corridor for transit traffic, this current volume captures comprehensively transit traffic statistics, which hopefully should inform our planning towards capturing a greater share of this trade.

It is hoped that this publication would be found useful by ship-owners and agents, freight forwarders maritime economic operators and also spur on researchers, analysts, and transport consultants to undertake more research work to improve productivity and competitiveness in the shipping industry in Ghana.

Kofi Mbiah

(Chief Executive)