A crane loads containers at the port of Mombasa.
Workers at the Mombasa port have threatened to stage a go-slow over delayed bonus payments, threatening to further worsen the current cargo congestion.
The Dock Workers Union said that the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has not issued any statement regarding the expected bonus payments.
“We understand this is the peak time for Mombasa port due to festivities and the diversion of cargo from the port of Dar es Salaam after the just concluded General Election. Our concern is that congestion might not end soon since workers might go slow due to the delay in bonuses,” said Secretary-General Simon Sang.
“We are asking KPA management to communicate their plans on bonuses and release the funds before January since workers need to pay school fees,” he added.
Dock Workers Union general secretary Simon Sang.
The KPA management did not comment on the matter by press time, despite earlier promises to do so.
The standoff between KPA and the port workers could worsen the congestion at the port, with about 26 vessels waiting to offload cargo. Shipping agents have also raised concerns over the increased number of vessels waiting under convenience after one vessel remained unattended since November 21.
“We sense something fishy with KPA as they are hiding their inefficiencies in the convenience of the ships,” said an agent who requested anonymity for fear of victimisation.
As the festive season reaches its peak and retailers replenish inventories ahead of the holidays, the cost of goods is likely to rise, or deliveries delayed.
Wholesalers at Marikiti market in Mombasa said they are missing out on early sales due to delays in cargo clearance.
“We tried to address the issue two weeks ago, but we are still facing challenges. We imported two containers of clothes and other holiday-related goods, and we were informed that the ship has yet to be cleared. Last year, by mid-November, half of our consignments were already sold,” said Mr Abdulkadir Mohammed, a trader.
Shipping lines operating at the port have also blamed the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and KPA for failing to facilitate cargo delivery and the evacuation of empty containers, causing congestion at the port and container depots.
A crane loads containers at the port of Mombasa.
Through their agents, more than 43 shipping lines operating at the port said delays in cargo clearance have led to vessels waiting longer, resulting in huge losses.
Kenya Ship Agents Association Chairperson Roger Dainty said more than 20 vessels were yet to be cleared to dock at the port, including sweepers, which are special vessels used to pick up empty containers.
“We brought in a sweeper that loaded 3,000 empties, which helped reposition containers, but the current delays are significantly increasing operational costs,” said Mr Dainty.
The port which handles about 3,500 twenty-foot equivalent units per day, is said to be overstretched following an increase in vessel calls over the past two weeks.
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