Mombasa Port stakeholders welcome KPA crackdown on long-stay containers

Key stakeholders at the Port of Mombasa have lauded the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) notice to have long stay containers and condemned cargo removed from the port premises.

Andrew Mwangura, a former Secretary General of the Seafarers Union of Kenya (SUK) and a maritime policy analyst, said that the action represents a decisive step toward operational efficiency that should have been taken years ago.

''While the 14-day ultimatum issued by managing director Captain William Ruto may seem harsh to some stakeholders, it reflects the urgent reality facing one of East Africa's most critical maritime gateways,'' Mwangura said.

He added that for too long, the Port of Mombasa has struggled with the persistent problem of abandoned containers cluttering valuable yard space. 

''These steel boxes, filled with forgotten cargo or caught in bureaucratic limbo, have become more than just an eyesore—they represent a fundamental impediment to the port's ability to serve its expanding regional role effectively,'' he said.

He emphasised that KPA's decision to finally address this issue head-on demonstrates a welcome shift from passive management to proactive port administration.

Mwangura said that the economic implications of this cleanup exercise extend far beyond the immediate visual improvement of the port's appearance.

''Every square meter of port real estate is precious in a facility that serves not only Kenya but also landlocked countries like Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. When containers sit idle for months or years, they occupy space that could accommodate fresh cargo, leading to congestion, delayed vessel turnaround times, and increased costs that are ultimately passed on to consumers across the region,'' he said.

He said that the notice's emphasis on "maximizing the use of all spaces to enhance safe and efficient operations and service delivery" speaks to a broader understanding of modern port management principles.

Today's ports, Mwangura said, compete not just on location but on efficiency, reliability, and turnaround times. 
''A cluttered, disorganized port sends the wrong message to shipping lines and cargo owners who have alternatives, particularly as other regional ports like Dar es Salaam continue to modernize and expand their capacities,'' Mwangura observed.

A port user Mr Edgar Johnson, stated that the timing for the issuance of the KPA notice was timely.

''Time and again, we have observed instances where the Port cannot take in more arrivals or adequate storage capacity taken up by containers that have overstayed,'' he said.

KPA conducted a comprehensive yard audit and providing a specific list of affected containers which has been hailed again as one that demonstrated transparency and due process.

The 14-day notice period, while brief, is reasonable given that these containers have likely been occupying space for extended periods. More importantly, the authority has clearly stated the consequences of non-compliance, removing any ambiguity about its intentions.

Mwachiti Mwaluma, another port user, said that in future, KPA needs to fully address how overstayed containers pile up in the first place. 

Experts state that the accumulation of long-stay containers typically results from a combination of factors including complex customs procedures, disputes between importers and suppliers, financial difficulties faced by cargo owners, and sometimes inadequate follow-up by port authorities themselves.

KPA, in the meantime has been urged to consider implementing more robust tracking systems for container dwell times, establishing clearer escalation procedures for long-stay cargo, and possibly introducing progressive storage fees that make extended stays financially prohibitive.

Such measures would create natural incentives for faster cargo clearance while generating additional revenue for port operations.

It has also been observed that the African Continental Free Trade Area has created additional momentum for intra-African trade, much of which flows through ports like Mombasa.

Mwangura further observed that the container cleanup represents more than just housekeeping—it symbolises Kenya's commitment to maintaining Mombasa's position as the premier port for East and Central Africa.