Mombasa port banks on automation as cargo rises

Mombasa Port (Photos: Courtesy)

The Government plans to put more effort in automation of services at the port of Mombasa as the amount of cargo increases.

Data from the Kenya Ports of Authority (KPA) shows that in the first six months of 2017, the facility handled 17.5 million tonnes, up from 15.7 million tonnes in the same period last year.

Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said with the port likely to handle more cargo, especially from neighbouring countries, automation of services is crucial.

“We are continuing to implement the Mombasa Port Community Charter devised in 2014. Most important is the automation of services under the Kenya National Single Window System as we anticipate more cargo coming especially directed to our neighbours,” he said.

KPA Managing Director Catherine Mturi-Wairi said export traffic at the port during the first half of the year increased slightly by 36,094 tonnes to 2,182,232 tonnes.

Import traffic had a major increase, growing by 12.1 per cent to record 14,803,838 tonnes from 13,209,720 tonnes registered last year. The increase was driven by bulk commodities such as wheat, clinker, palm oil and refined petroleum products.

“Handling such quantities needs an efficient and automated cargo handling system. We already have one in place but we will be working with partners like Trade Mark East Africa to improve on it,” said Ms Mturi-Wairi.

The automation comes even as the Kenya Shippers Council CEO Gilbert Langat said cargo handling at the port is still slow due to poor systems, calling on KPA to improve it.

“Cargo handling operations and poor use of systems are some of the challenges facing cargo movement at the port,” he said.