2 | NEWSFOCUS SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 www.mygov.go.ke 1, 300 containers arrive at the port daily with about 800 being loaded to the cargo trains bound for the Nairobi Inland Container Deport (ICD) BY HUSSEIN ABDULLAHI KNA-MOMBASA T he Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) acting Managing Director Dr. Daniel Manduku says the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) freight operations have boosted cargo transportation and enhanced efficiency at the port of Mombasa. Mombasa port remains the most connected in the region, with at least 33 shipping lines calling and providing direct connectivity to more than 80 ports worldwide. The MD observed that the 472 km SGR line from Mombasa to Nairobi has helped lower conventional cargo and ship congestion, besides enhancing Mombasa’s image as a regional logistics hub. Dr.Manduku said the SGR has helped decongest Mombasa port by hastening the offloading of cargo from ships SGR freight services have reduced 472km for onward transportation to Nairobi and other hinterland destinations via the modern high-speed rail network. “The movement of cargo by the modern rails has helped ease the cost of doing business in Mombasa and its environs,” he noted adding that it has also eased vehicular traffic on the port access roads. Some 1, 300 containers arrive at the port daily with about 800 being loaded to the cargo trains bound for the Nairobi Inland Container Deport (ICD). He said KPA ICD Nairobi works 24 hours and they encourage clients to be clearing their cargo throughout even the weekends as all services are available round the clock. He acknowledged that the SGR commercial services have affected the multi-billion shilling Container Freight Stations (CSFs) businesses in Mombasa. He said KPA is aware that the SGR operations have not gone down well with CFS operators and transporters as they feared being driven out of business by the trains. The MD said the speed trains that started commercial operations in January 2018 have steadily been reducing cargo dwell time at the Kilindini harbour. ‘The CFSs were initially created to handle transit cargo, ease congestion and allow the port to handle more transhipment,” he observed. “For us, SGR is improving cargo evacuation at the port, creating space at the hitherto congested container stacking yards and is speeding up trade along the northern corridor,” he said. Dr. Manduku said the Kenya set to mark World Maritime Day Kenya is set to join the rest of the international maritime community in commemorating this year’s World Maritime Day on Thursday BY MYGOV WRITER T his year’s theme “IMO 70: Our Heritage – Better Shipping for a Better Future” provides the opportunity for maritime nations to remember their maritime histories, laud the progress made so far and to address current and future challenges for maritime transport. The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing & Urban Development, Mr. James Macharia, and the Principal Secretary, Shipping & Maritime, Mrs. Nancy Karigithu, will flag off the event. Organised by the Kenya Maritime Authority, the event will be held at the Mama Ngina grounds in Mombasa. The World Maritime Day celebration will also bring together stakeholders in the maritime industry, students and the general public to learn about recent trends in the sector, recognise challenges and find solutions, increase awareness and participation in the maritime sector and the Blue economy. During the event, the public will also be treated to a variety of educative exhibitions from various agencies and institutions such as the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), the Kenya Ports Authority(KPA), the Kenya National Shipping Line, the Kenya Ferry, Kenya Trade Network Agency (KENTRADE) Bandari College, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Express Shipping and Logistics, Kenya Bureau of Standards and Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research InstiThe Kenyan maritime sector and Blue economy has great economic potential that still remains untapped tute among many others. This year’s World Maritime day comes at an opportune time when the country is keen to implement the Government’s Big 4 agenda as well as position itself to develop and reap big from the nation’s blue economy. The Kenyan maritime sector and Blue economy has great economic potential that still remains untapped and can be a key driver for both sustainable growth in the economy and employment to millions of Kenyans if well harnessed. Every year, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) sets aside a week in September for the international community to celebrate achievements made in the maritime industry towards shipping safety, maritime security, maritime education and training, the marine environment and to emphasize a particular aspect of IMO’s work. Kenya became a member of IMO in 1973 and is currently a council member under Category ‘C’, which consists of countries which have special interests in maritime transport or navigation, having first been elected in 2001 and re-elected in 2017. Length of SGR line from Mombasa to Nairobi, which has helped lower conventional cargo and ship congestion 33 Shipping lines that call Mombasa port, which provides direct connectivity to more than 80 ports worldwide
3 Publizr Home