The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has announced an upward review for storage charges for domestic import containerized cargo.
In a statement, KPA Managing Director (MD) Capt. William K. Ruto said the adjustments are aimed at simplifying the storage regime and easing tariff interpretation among users of port services.
“KPA wishes to announce to customers in the Domestic Market (Kenya) the Adjustment of Storage Scales for import containerized cargo handles at the Port of Mombasa and Inland Container Depots (ICDs),” read part of the notice.
Further, KPA reduced the charges used to compute storage from four to two scales.
The new scale implies that there will be free cargo storage for the first four days, charges for cargo stored between 5 and 21 days, and higher charges after 21 days.
In the first scale, a 20 feet domestic import container (DIC) will attract a demurrage charge of $30 (Ksh.4,419) while a 40 feet DIC will cost $60 (Ksh.8,838) from the 5th to the 21st day.
Additionally, in the second scale, a 20 feet DIC will be charged $45 (Khs. 6,628) while a 40 feet DIC will cost $90 (Ksh.13,257) after 21 days of storage.
In addition, Capt. Ruto stated that the changes took effect from September 15, 2023.
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KPA Previous 4 Storage Scale
Prior to these changes, KPA charged demurrage fee after the expiry of two days free storage period.
KPA charged $30 (Ksh.4,419) for a 20 feet DIC from day two while a 40 feet cargo attracted a demurrage of $60 (Khs.8,838) for the same period.
Additionally, 20 feet attracted a demurrage of $35 (Ksh.5,155) and $40 (Ksh.5,892) for the sixth day.
On the other hand, a 40 feet DIC was charged $80 (Ksh.11,784) during the sixth day.
Also, all containers above seven days were charged a demurrage of $45 (Ksh.6,628) and $90 (Ksh.13,2570 per day.
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Mombasa Port Cargo Volume
According to data, the volume of cargo serviced at the Mombasa Port increased by 3.3 percent between January to June 2023 compared to a similar period in 2022.
KPA data showed that the Port handled 18.06 million tonnes compared to 17.48 million tonnes in a similar period in 2022.
This is an increase of 584,554 tonnes which translates to 3.3 percent.
The review came at time when the Kenyan Port is facing stiff competition from the Port of Dar es Salaam which was ranked better in the World Bank’s ranking of the most efficient ports.
Dar es Salaam Port was ranked position 312 while Mombasa took position 326 out of the 348 ports in the 2022 ranking.
