How container cash deposits are creating a problem for Kenyan traders

Cranes offloading containers from MV Jolly Giada LOA at the Mombasa Port. [File, Standard]

East Africa’s logistics industry faces challenges such as regulatory hurdles and trade barriers.

One of the most significant non-tariff barriers is the requirement for container cash deposits at key ports such as Mombasa and Dar es Salaam.

Despite numerous efforts, a sustainable solution has remained elusive for long. Container deposit has traditionally been used as the only form of security protecting shipping lines against the risks of loss, damage or prolonged delays in returning containers.