This archive report was first published on 8 October 2019.
On October 8, 2019, Mombasa Container Terminal (MCT) made history by becoming the first licensed operator for export handling services in Kenya. This innovative move aims to address the long-standing challenge of shut outs, where containers are left behind due to short acceptance times or procedural delays.
As a result, MCT has successfully handled several transit export consignments, including a recent shipment of leather from Uganda. The terminal's existing facilities are utilized to provide short-term storage for export shipments from various sources, allowing for consolidation and efficient customs clearance through the One-Stop Documentation Centre.
By grouping shipments together, MCT facilitates the efficient use of port facilities and equipment, ultimately benefiting the export customer, shipping lines, and the port and customs process. According to Mr. Julius Kinyua, General Manager for MCT, “A good supply chain requires a high level of certainty in time and cost. This service is not only beneficial to the export customer and shipping line, but also creates efficiency for the port and customs process by grouping shipments together.”
Notably, in 2018, over 141,000 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) were exported through the port of Mombasa, with 77% originating from Kenya and 23% from the rest of the region.
