Mwaniki Wahome

9 September 2010

Nairobi — The capacity to handle more cargo at the port of Mombasa is expected to increase from next month after the completion of a dry port constructed by SDV Transami, a leading logistics operator in Africa.

The regional director, East Africa zone, Mr Tony Stenning said the port that cost Sh683 million was among the investments that it had initiated to improve movement of cargo in the region.

"Kenya is strategically placed in the East African region and with the economy growing fast, the volume of trade is expected to increase which could lead to congestion if facilities like these are not constructed," Mr Stenning said when he briefed the media at Laico Regency hotel on Thursday.

He said the terminal will employ 300 people, who will be trained by Ballore Africa Logistics, its holding company to meet the demanding expectations of local and regional clients.

Ballore CEO Africa, Dominique Lafont said they were currently operating in 40 countries in the continent.

The dry port comes barely four months after the East Africa Common market protocol was started, and which is expected to increase volume of trade between the countries in the region.

According to Kenya Ports Authority, container turnaround time made a record improvement of 3 days in the third quarter of 2009, the best in the region from 5 days in 2008.

The average container dwell time improved to 6.4 days from 13.1 days in 2008, representing a 51 per cent improvement attributed to availability of yard space at the port.

Automation of cargo handling operations, 24\7 working schedule embraced last year and use of container freight stations that handle over 11,000 teus outside the port, freeing the ports yard, are among the measures that have improved cargo handling, according to KPA website.

The total freight handled by port rose 2.8 per cent from 15.96 million tonnes in 2007 to 16.42 million tonnes in 2008 while the transit cargo increased from 4.4 million tonnes to 4.8 million tonnes in same period.