Commodity prices in Kenya could go up if Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has its way over a planned increase of key port charges.
This will subsequently affect import costs with traders loading the charges on the goods.
KPA intends to review charges (KPA Tariff 2012 ) for marine services and ship dues, stevedoring services, shorehandling, wharfage and storage services and charges for general services, with two stakeholders’ consultative meetings set for Mombasa and Nairobi next week.
The KPA Act allows the Transport Cabinet in consultation with the Treasury counterpart to approve any major alterations in the tariffs, rates, fares and other charges made for the services provided by the authority.
“The stakeholder engagements on the review of the KPA Tariff 2012 form an integral part of the roadmap taking cognizance of the authority’s commitment to the tenets of the stakeholder management, which aims at creating a collaborative culture to address end-to-end service gaps thereby facilitating cargo logistics to mutual benefit,” KPA managing director, William Ruto, said.
The current tariffs came into effect on December 1, 2012 and apply equally to all port users (individuals, persons, firms or corporations engaged in or responsible for handling vessels and cargos including and not limited to cargo agents, charterers, brokers, freight forwarders, shippers or consignees).
Charges per operation are subject to a minimum charge of $150 (Sh19,387 ). Where exemption from pilotage has been granted to a vessel, certificate of exemption shall be issued to the Master of the vessel.
The certificate shall remain valid
for one year from date of issue
with a rate per year for pilotage
exemption license for onward,
ooutward and internal vessel movements currently at $2000 (Sh
Sh258,500 ) Stevedoring charges
are levied per tonne at an average
$7.50 (Sh969 ).
