TPA and Mombasa Porty Authorithy on mission to curb down Congestion!

Mombasa Port Authority and Dar es Salaam Port Authority are gearing up together to curb congestion at the two ports a move that will foster clearing of cargos and speed up the two countries economies and the regional as whole.

After protracted complains from the business community, the Port of Mombasa has set out to reclaim its allure and regain its position as the gateway to East Africa with the joint venture collaboration with their sister port in Dar to end congestion at the East Africa maritime.

Kenyan High Commissioner in Tanzania, Mr. Mutinda Mutiso in his office

Speaking to invited dignitaries, the Kenyan High Commissioner in Tanzania, Mr Mutinda Mutiso said that the two ports are in keen collaboration to end congestion at the East African ports as far the regional integration is concern.

Just when most importers were increasingly opting to use the Dar es Salaam Port due to inefficiencies and congestion at the Mombasa Port, its high time for the two ports to have keen collaboration because the Dar port are now experiencing the same problem.

 Mr Mutiso said the new terminal of Juba port will be positioned to cater for the projected container increase in excess of 960,000 Twenty Foot Equivalent Units (Teus) by 2015.

“The need for the construction and the improvements of East African ports cannot be over emphasised,” Mutiso said, adding that the Kenyan State would ensure the development of the regional Port of Lamu is on schedule to meet the growing demand for port services.

“I am glad that the tendering process for a contractor of the first three berths at the regional Port of Lamu is ongoing and a contract will be awarded soon,” he said.

Gichiri Ndua Managing Director of the Kenya Port Authority said the business community was upbeat the new terminal of Lamu will enhance efficiency for businesses operating in the country.

Projections by the Kenya Port Authority show the new terminal will significantly increase the port’s capacity and throughput – something that is critical in driving economic growth in Kenya and the region as a whole.

Apart from Kenya, the port also serves Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The new terminal will have a capacity of 1.2 million Teus per year and will have three berths that measure 230, 320 and 350 metres.  Over the last 12 years, traffic through the Port Mombasa had increased by 7.4 per cent per annum, rising from nine million tonnes in 2000 to 20 million tons in last year.

Over the last five years, throughput levels have averaged 5.7 per cent that is more than the average growth rate of global maritime trade of 3.5 per cent annually.

Ends.