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Fresh produce exports given priority as KPA adjusts port movements
Fresh avocadoes for export at Fawakih Import and Export Limited in Mlolongo on September 17, 2024.
What you need to know:
- The ongoing conflicts between the US, Israel and Iran have affected vessel turnaround times.
- The delay in vessel turnaround time has affected exports of coffee, tea, avocados and meat.
Increasing uncertainty along different maritime routes as a result of Middle East conflicts, which have caused delays to vessels, has prompted the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to operationalise priority lanes at the Port of Mombasa to speed up the handling and evacuation of export cargo, particularly perishable fresh produce and reefer containers.
The ongoing conflicts between the US, Israel and Iran have affected vessel turnaround times, causing ships to take longer to reach the Port of Mombasa due to cargo diversion away from Red Sea routes. This has added 10–20 days or more to transit times for exports, with avocado and meat exporters the hardest hit.
Fears have risen over the prolonged crisis, which is destabilising global trade patterns and could dampen demand for Kenyan exports.
The delay in vessel turnaround time due to longer routes has affected exports of coffee, tea, avocados and meat, causing huge losses to traders, which will significantly affect the country’s income.
Increased distances have led to immediate and painful consequences for ship owners due to a surge in fuel prices, which is a major inconvenience and a shock to the markets.
Special entry points for exports
In a notice to all port users, KPA Managing Director William Ruto asked truckers to adhere to the government’s initiatives aimed at boosting sea freight for agricultural products like tea, flowers, avocados and mangoes, improving the regional balance of trade.
“To support timely delivery of export cargo and improve vessel and cargo handling efficiency, the Port of Mombasa will commence acceptance of export containers 24 hours upon vessel berthing. All exporters, transporters, clearing and forwarding agents and other port users are requested to strictly utilise the designated gates and lanes to facilitate orderly, safe and efficient export cargo operations,” said Mr Ruto.
He said the port has directed that all delivery of exports should be handled at Gate 24 and Gate 9A.
“We wish to inform all customers and stakeholders that the following gates and lanes have been designated for the delivery of export containers: Gate 24 – Lane 23B has been prioritised for reefer (refrigerated) export containers, while Gate 24 – Lane 23A is for general cargo (dry export containers). Gate 9A is dedicated to general export containers (both dry and reefers),” said Mr Ruto.
Shippers Council of Eastern Africa (SCEA) CEO Agayo Ogambi has urged avocado exporters to consider current logistics challenges and harvest products a few days after the vessel sail date.
“As KPA designates special entry points for exports, we are calling on other government agencies to initiate expedited export clearance. The gate will assist because trucks won’t have to queue for long; immediately they get to the port, they are scanned and plugged in, which will help maintain the freshness of the perishables,” said Mr Ogambi.
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