KRA, KPA Push for 24-Hour Mombasa Port Operation Under New Cargo System

Jukwaa

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The proposed reforms were discussed during a high-level meeting bringing together government agencies, shipping firms, regulators and private sector players as part of efforts to improve trade facilitation while protecting government revenue.

Among the key initiatives is the Advanced Cargo Declaration (ACD) system, which was rolled out on August 3 to allow traders to submit and verify cargo documents before goods are loaded at the port of export.

KRA said the new platform has already received more than 1,000 applications, indicating growing uptake among importers, exporters and shipping stakeholders.

📌 What You Need to Know

The meeting also reviewed plans to pilot a Smart Gate system at the Port of Mombasa , supported by enhanced integration between the Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS) and Partner Government Agencies.

The Smart Gate is expected to automate cargo movement, improve transparency across the supply chain and reduce delays at the port's exit points once implemented.

To further ease congestion, KRA and KPA said they plan to harmonise staff shifts to support continuous gate operations while encouraging Container Freight Stations in Mombasa and Nairobi to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The agencies also proposed greater use of Inland Container Depots and Container Freight Stations to help decongest the Port of Mombasa as cargo volumes continue to grow.

The Port of Mombasa currently handles about 2.1 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), making it the region's main maritime gateway for Kenya and neighbouring countries.

KRA Commissioner General Adan Mohammed said stronger collaboration between government agencies and the private sector was key to improving the port's efficiency.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke

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