Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), which manages Mombasa port, has unveiled several measures to rid the port of ship and cargo congestion that has afflicted the facility in the recent past.

In a series of meetings held with port customers on July 30, KPA's Managing Director Mr Abdallah Mwaruwa said serious yard re-organisation at the container terminal has been mounted involving deployment of several senior and experienced employees.

The re-organisation, Mr Mwaruwa said, will create space for incoming and outgoing containers.

"Other than the temporary stoppage of transshipment containers, KPA has restricted landing of empty containers to 100 instead of the usual 200. The above two moves are aimed at increasing loading of exports, which have suffered considerable delays," Mr Mwaruwa said in a statement sent to Daily Monitor.

At a meeting with the East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA), Mr Mwaruwa reiterated stabilisation of the newly introduced automated cargo clearance and handling system, the Kilindini Water Front System - Kwatos.

He said KPA specialists have been posted to the Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association training centre where more members are being inducted on the use of Kwatos.

EATTA Chairman Mr Francis Kiragu noted that vessel delays at Mombasa port have also seriously affected delivery of tea exports and that the effect was being felt across the world.

Despite the measures to rid the port of ship and cargo congestion, a total of 2,975 containers destined for transit are lying at the port. Another 3,000 containers destined for other regional ports also wait to be cleared.