This archive report was first published on 10 July 2019.
On July 10, 2019, Comarco Group, a marine logistics firm, made history by securing a private port designation for its 16-acre Mombasa facility.
The company's operations fall under the export processing zone (EPZ), allowing it to import equipment duty-free and receive tax relief for repairs and maintenance of its vessels.
Comarco's three subsidiaries – Comarco Properties (EPZ) Limited, Kenya Marine Contractors (EPZ) Limited, and Comarco Supply Base (EPZ) Limited – were set up to take advantage of incentives offered in the special economic zones.
The company's chief executive, Simon Phillips, said, 'This is a game changer for Comarco. The designation of the Comarco Port as a functional private port broadens our capabilities and opens up a raft of new opportunities.'
Comarco has already signed two significant contracts, including one with Samruddha Kenya Limited for the export of 500,000 tonnes of iron ore in bulk over a one year period and another with RK Sanghani Limited for the export of 200,000 tonnes of iron ore in bulk over a six-month period.
