Possible Delay at Mombasa Port as KPA Announces Changes in Shipping Schedules

Kenyans may face delays in deliveries following a shakeup in vessel scheduling at Mombasa’s Container Terminal 2 (CT2).

The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) announced in a customer notice dated September 20 that an interim review of the fixed berthing window at CT2 will be conducted.

According to the authorities, the changes follow a service and partnership realignment by global shipping giant CMA CGM, which has withdrawn from co-allocation agreements under the current berthing framework and will now operate independently under a new service called KILIMA.

CMA CGM had previously collaborated with Evergreen, CCdGO, Express Feeder, Emirates, and Hapag-Lloyd under the “SwiftBud” and “Swire” consortia.

With the new arrangements, KPA will now oversee berth allocations at CT2, starting Saturday, September 20, at 11 p.m.

Revised Schedules

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According to the revised schedule:

• KILIMA will operate from Saturday at 12:00 a.m. to Monday at 11:00 p.m.
• SwiftBud consortium will berth from Monday at 12:00 a.m. to Thursday at 11:00 p.m.
• Swire services will use the terminal from Thursday at 12:00 a.m. to Saturday at 11:00 p.m.

Berthing for additional services, including NOURA, KANBU Northbound, and KANBU Southbound, will be on a first-come, first-served basis at Berths 17 and 20, subject to draft conditions. KILIMA services will be prioritized at Berth 21.

KPA Managing Director George W. Munga said the realignment is expected to remain in effect through the 2025 peak shipping season. The Authority also issued a one-week notice for realignment at Berth 21 to all affected operators.

Although aimed at improving operational efficiency, the restructuring may cause short-term logistical delays for businesses and consumers nationwide, particularly as port operators adjust to the new berthing windows.

Expansion of Mombasa Port

The government has committed Ksh41 billion towards expanding the Mombasa port to reduce congestion and handle the increasing cargo volumes fueled by rising trade activity.

Forecasts indicate that the port is expected to process over 2.4 million standard containers in 2025, an increase from the two million handled by the close of 2024.

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While launching a new commuter rail service in Mombasa, President William Ruto announced plans to build a new cargo yard before year-end to accommodate the growth.

“We need to match cargo capacity and the infrastructure; that is why we shall be investing more in different port projects in the coming years,” he said.

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director William Ruto added that the agency is partnering with container freight station (CFS) operators to expand their facilities, many of which have remained the same size for nearly 20 years despite surging trade volumes.

“Apart from port expansion, we are working with other stakeholders, including CFSs, to expand their facilities to accommodate increasing cargo throughput in the country,” he noted.

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