Pressure on KPA lifts port performance

By Patrick Beja

Mombasa port has started recording improved performance following demands for better service by international shipping lines.

Officials said last week the port recorded its highest ever performance at the expanded Mombasa Container Terminal.

A record 1,117 moves were registered in 24 hours on Mv MSC Eagle at berth 17 on March 4. The vessel had earlier recorded 555 moves in a full shift of eight hours with her first sling having been recorded at 0830 hours.

Acting Terminal Manager Sudi Mwasinago attributed the improved performance to effective equipment and proper labour utilisation.

Better Co-Ordination

"This performance is way above the agreement between KPA and the East African Conferences Lines to deliver 200 moves per 24 hours. Previously, there were too many delay, but we are determined to make things even better at the port," he said.

According Mwasinago, the performance has surpassed the targets as stipulated in the performance contracts with the Government for the port to attain 136 moves per shift translating into 408 moves per 24 hours.

He also attributed the improved service delivery to better co-ordination and supervision of ship and yard operations. Other factors include adequate space in the yards, optimum labour, equipment and motivated staff said KPA.

The total container population has reduced drastically from 15,000 twenty foot equivalent units in January this year to 10,000 units this week, against total yard holding capacity of 15,000 units.

This is also attributed to efficiency in cargo deliveries by road which of late has been registering a constant average of over 1000 twenty foot equivalent units per 24 hours.