Capacity Utilization at the Port of Mombasa

Abstract

The study analyzed the various constraints to capacity utilization at the port of Mombasa: it identified the status of capacity utilization at the port of Mombasa and discussed in depth what needs to be done by the various stakeholders at the port of Mombasa in order to deal with these capacity constraints. The study also acknowledged that the success of any port is largely influenced by the Port community in any country with a seaport. The Port community is comprised of different stakeholders who play individual roles but collectively supports port operations. These stakeholders include seaports, shipping agents, insurance companies. Customs department, banks, transporters, ship handlers and Clearing and Forwarding companies. The study found that the port of Mombasa has capacity management issues which need to be addressed. These capacity issues included; the poor railway system, technological issues and documentation inefficiency in cargo clearance due to the existence of brokers. These constraints have made the cost of doing business at the port of Mombasa to be more expensive compared to other ports in the world like the port of Singapore. The port management is already developing strategies to counter the capacity constraints experienced in the port’s operations. 24 hr operation has been introduced at the port and privatization of the port has also been considered as a viable option.