This archive report was first published on 17 June 2020.
On June 17, 2020, the Naivasha Inland Container Depot (ICD) was bustling with activity, marking a significant milestone in its operations.
The facility, which has a total ground slots capacity of 5,000 TEUs, has been receiving one full container train of 108 TEUs every week from Mombasa for the transit market.
According to the Kenya Ports Authority, the ICD has been a game-changer for transit countries, allowing them to collect their cargo at the depot, saving time and distance to Mombasa or Nairobi.
"This also helps to reduce congestion on our roads. Shipping Lines and Freight Forwarders have expressed their interest to establish themselves at the strategic depot to handle transit cargo," said a statement from the Kenya Ports Authority.
Already, some shipping lines have begun to bring containers on a Through Bill of Lading (TBL) to Naivasha, with Kuenhe + Nagel, the largest cargo movers in the world, planning to open a branch at the depot to serve their transit clients.
The Kenya Ports Authority is also making plans to create more facilities for smooth operations, including constructing a proper administration block, expanding the yard, and constructing a trucks holding yard.
On May 7th, 2020, Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works Cabinet Secretary Mr. James Macharia conducted an inspection tour of the facility to assess its readiness for business.
