Betty Mkonyi Kenya Ports Authority: Divulged that KPA has expanded the Free Storage period for Transit Cargo

By Abdul Rahman Bangura–

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS (NADN) Freetown, Sierra Leone– The KPA Country Representative to Uganda let out that apart from subsidizing state-of-the-art equipment and completing the new container terminal to increase accommodation and cater to the growing need, they have likewise improved the free storage period for Transit cargo from 9 to 15 days.

That means that after 15 days, containers that overstay up to 21 days would pay $30 per 20-ft container and $60 for a 40-ft container. After 21 days, each 20-ft container would be charged $45 and $90 for each 40-ft container. Mkonyi stated.

Mombasa Port classified amongst the top ten ports in Africa, functions as a crucial hub for Western Europe, Asia, the Americas, and the Far East. But whereas the recorded Port relies on the strategic edge of being placed on key global trade paths over the major water bodies comprising the Indian Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea, although different enterprises have been utilized to develop the port, it is however to acknowledge of its full prospect.

Nevertheless, the Administration of Kenya concurrently with its Northern Corridor partners is subsidizing laboriously in a multi-modal infrastructure network to correlate to the port using road, water, and railway modes of transport.

Major General (Rtd.) George Owinow, Kenyan High Commissioner to Uganda applauded KPA for the improved efficiency professionalism, which he said are ushering the development of trade in the Great Lakes Region.

Oinnow said that KPA is entitled to credit for the dose of exertion they have put into the expansion of Mombasa and its extra facilities so as to attain additional efficiency of operations for better trade on the Northern Corridor.

“Mombasa Port is vital for the efficient operation of the Northern Corridor Beto the connectivity with the rest of the world, all the way up to Uganda, Rwanda, DR Congo, and South Sudan, so I want to commend you for that,” he told.

He furthermore conceded the respective Governments for working together for the growth of the infrastructure the network across the Corridor and diversify it into roads, railways, and water modes of transport.

Recently, the Kenyan Government has submitted a raft of railways intended for improving efficiency at the Port of Mombasa comprising directives from Kenyan President – William Samoei Ruto that the port must operate 24 hours every day in alignment with all government directives and cargo handlers. According to KPA, Uganda is the biggest user of Mombasa Port after Kenya, accounting for 24% market share.

A total of 6 million tonnes of cargo destined for Uganda went through Mombasa yearly, which handles about 80% of Uganda’s import markets, and the rest through other ports and Entebbe Airport. Other destinations are South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Tanzania etc.

For New Africa Daily News Abdul Rahman Bangura Reports,  Africa Correspondent