“New digital platform will give Ghanaian buyers full visibility of vehicle prices, auction fees, shipping costs and shipment tracking, from purchase in North America to arrival in Ghana” says, Leonid Lamptey, Managing Director of Safebond Car Terminal Limited.
Safebond Car Terminal Limited, a leading Ghanaian logistics, port operations and industrial group, has partnered with M1 Shipping by Marhaba Auctions, a global vehicle logistics company with more than 20 years’ experience shipping cars, trucks and SUVs from North America, to launch a new vehicle acquisition and shipping platform for Ghanaian importers.
Scheduled to go live in November 2026, the platform will give customers direct access to Marhaba Auctions’ online vehicle auctions, while M1 Shipping Ghana will manage international shipping and support customers at every stage of the import journey, from purchase to arrival in Ghana.
The partnership aims to take the guesswork out of importing a vehicle by giving buyers clear, upfront information on what they are buying, what it will cost and where it is at every point in transit.
Key features of the platform
Upfront cost visibility: the platform enables auction prices, auction fees, shipping charges and estimated clearance cost visibility before customers commit to a purchase.
It also ensures end-to-end tracking, whilst offering online updates as vehicles are received at the warehouse, prepared for shipment, shipped, arrive in Ghana and become ready for customs clearance.
Another key feature of the platform is its flexible buying options as customers can bid and buy directly on the auction platform, or have the M1 Shipping Ghana team handle acquisition and shipping on their behalf.
Ghanaian vehicle dealers will be able to list and sell vehicles to a larger pool of buyers through a wider market for local dealers.
Importantly, the platform is built to complement, not compete as it is designed to work alongside existing auction sites, automotive marketplaces, freight forwarders and clearing agents.
Tackling hidden costs
Many Ghanaians importing vehicles today rely on several intermediaries and often have limited sight of a vehicle’s original purchase price, the fees applied and the true cost of shipping. The new platform is designed to close that gap.
Leonid Lamptey, Managing Director of Safebond Car Terminal Limited, said: “This partnership responds directly to the challenges customers face across the vehicle acquisition, shipping and logistics value chain. Buyers deserve to see the auction price, the fees and the shipping charges before they commit. Our platform puts that information in their hands, and it opens up a wider market for local dealers to reach more buyers.”
Mujeb Amanzay, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of M1 Shipping by Marhaba Auctions, said: “Customers are going to be part of the process from start to finish. They will be able to view vehicle prices, shipping costs, vehicle locations and shipment tracking information through the platform.”
Customers will receive invoices and status updates throughout, including notification of when their vehicle arrives in Ghana and when it is ready for customs clearance.
Mohib Amanzay, Managing Director of M1 Shipping, added: “For the people of Ghana, what they should expect is transparency, loyalty, long-term business, trust and good deals.”
Strengthening Ghana’s automotive and logistics ecosystem
Under the model, M1 Shipping Ghana will focus on the international shipping leg, while local clearing agents will continue to handle customs clearance and related services when vehicles arrive at Ghanaian ports.
The partners believe that more efficient shipping can drive higher cargo volumes through Ghana’s ports, creating new opportunities for businesses across the automotive and logistics value chain. They also see the initiative supporting Ghana’s ambition to serve as a gateway to West Africa, including transit trade with landlocked neighbours such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Safebond Car Terminal Limited projects that the initiative will create direct and indirect jobs within its first two years of operation.
A call for continued port digitalisation
Ahead of the November launch, the partners will engage freight forwarders, industry associations and relevant government agencies.
Mr. Lamptey also called for continued digitalisation of port and clearance processes, greater predictability in valuation and duty procedures, stronger action against fraudulent documentation, and wider public education on port regulations. These measures, he said, would give importers greater certainty and help reduce delays and congestion.
The partnership comes as businesses across Ghana’s automotive and maritime sectors increasingly turn to digital solutions to improve efficiency and transparency.
Source: businesspostonline
