There’s plenty of good news from the Port of Mombasa which is upping its game in terms of productivity and capacity.
The container terminal recorded a significant improvement in cargo handling efficiency year on year, achieving 21.8 gross moves per hour in 2015 compared with 17.0 in 2014, according to Kenya Ports Authority managing director Gichiri Ndua.
Dwell time, however, didn’t fare as well with an average increase during January-September this year of 5.1 days against 3.6 days in 2014. “The main reason for this,” says Ndua, “is the introduction of the Single Customs Territory which has had issues of continued human intervention resulting in a slow-down of documentation processes.”
In another positive move the port has beefed up its equipment maintenance and acquisition schedules, taking delivery of eight terminal tractors this year. “We are expecting three ship-to-shore gantry cranes towards end of this year and early 2016. We will also receive eight empty container handlers by early next year.”
In addition there’s been good progress on the second container terminal with the construction of Phase I now over 95% complete and expected to be handed over on February 29 next year. “It will provide additional capacity of 470 to 550 000 TEUs annually. The terminal is scheduled to be operated by an international terminal operator through a 25-year concession.” No decision has yet been taken on the likely candidate.
