New fuel shipments have arrived at Mombasa Port and Lamu Port, just as Kenyans brace for the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority's (EPRA) monthly price review.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

From the cargo manifest obtained by  Kenyans.co.ke from the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) on August 12, Jet A1 fuel, commonly used to power aircraft, docked at Mombasa on August 11, kicking off a fresh wave of petroleum imports into the country.

A day later, a vessel carrying V-Power, a premium grade of petrol favoured by motorists for better engine performance, also berthed at the same port.

Fuel oil, a liquid petroleum product made from crude oil that is burned in furnaces or boilers to make heat, or used in engines to make power for industries, is on the way and is set to be in the country on August 13, arriving at Mombasa Port to support industries and power generation plants that depend on it daily.

📌 What You Need to Know

Base oil, a key raw material used in manufacturing lubricants, is expected to arrive at the port by August 16, according to the latest port position report.

The timing of the fuel arrivals is notable, coming barely 72 hours before EPRA is expected to announce its next round of fuel prices on August 14.

Kenyans have grown used to watching these monthly reviews closely, since even small shifts in pump prices ripple through transport costs and household budgets, as the government attributed the previous price reviews to the Middle East Conflict that has put a chokehold on the Staight of Hormuz, a global waterway that contributes to 21 per cent of global supply.

Beyond fuel, dozens of other vessels are expected at Mombasa and Lamu over the next two weeks, carrying everything from containers to bulk wheat and steel coils.

Palm oil shipments are also expected mid-month, alongside bulk urea and bulk coal, both critical for farmers and local industries, respectively.

Car carriers are lined up too, with several vessels bringing in vehicles for the local market between mid and late August.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke