KPA introduces new tariffs at Mombasa and Lamu ports

Cranes offloading containers from MV Jolly Giada LOA The 3rd full at the Kenya Ports Authority in Mombasa on 6 March 6, 2024. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) introduced new tariffs on Monday following an agreement with the Kenya Ship Agents Association (KSAA) that had challenged its legality.

KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto said they entered an out-of-court settlement with KSAA to allow the introduction of the new tariffs in the ports of Mombasa and Lamu.  

In a notice dated December 19 this year, KPA said ships were to start paying port dues and stevedoring charges in compliance with the new tariff on December 22.

“...the Kenya Ports Authority hereby notifies all customers and stakeholders that the KPA tariff 2025 has been published and takes effect on December 22, 2025,” said Ruto.  

The agents who had opposed the introduction of shore handling levies have now agreed to start paying the tariffs in question.

Ruto said cargo owners and agents who will lodge pickup orders, pre-advices and make requests for additional services for cargo at the port and Inland Container Depot (ICD) have to pay the charges in compliance with the new tariff.

"The new tariff introduces shore handling charges specifically for CFS-bound cargo, which is the primary point of contention for the CFS Association and KPA before the withdrawal of the case," the court document states.

The founder member of the Container Freight Station Association, Awiti Bolo, commended the decision of the two parties to withdraw the case from the court.

This is a good move by both KPA and our association because KPA will now remain a landlord who is not to store the cargo for the importers after docking in the port,” said Awiti.

Awiti, who is the proprietor of said importers, has to make arrangements and ensure their cargo does not take five days in the port.

“We have many CFSs in the country which are capable of handling any cargo which it has been nominated to handle,” said Awiti.

According to the new arrangement, KPA will have authority to nominate containers to any of the CFSs when the importer has not selected the CFS to handle such cargo on arrival at the port.

Among the new measures KPA will implement to ensure there is no congestion in the port is offering a 100 per cent waiver for goods which have overstayed at the port.

Awiti said the new move, which is a win-win for both KPA and association members, is because KPA will unilaterally assign the cargo which has overstayed at the port for over five days to any CFS near the port.

“This is a win situation for the CFSs, as local cargo will be given to the local CFSs to handle if the owner did not nominate a CFS to handle it for him or her,” said Awiti.  

To encourage immediate clearance of blocklogged cargo, KPA and the Kenya Revenue Authority can offer a 100 per cent waiver on accrued storage and warehouse rent for long-stay cargo on the condition that the individual applies for it.

Awiti insisted most of the local cargo destined for Mombasa port will now go to the CFS for final clearance, while those going upcountry or beyond Nairobi will be railed to Nairobi Inland Container Depot for clearance there.

There is no need for the cargo to be cleared in the port. They should be moved to Container Freight Stations in the area.

Among the new measures KPA has introduced is the inspection of containers by private and government agencies to be done outside the port at CFSs, and any arising dispute about the cargo must be resolved within five days.

The new 2025 tariff has now replaced the 2012 tariff, which has not been in force for the last decade.

The increased fees will affect stevedoring, wharfage rates and new charges for the new dirty cargo surcharge.