MOMBASA, Kenya- Congestion at the Port of Mombasa, East Africa’s busiest trade gateway, has returned to the spotlight as dozens of vessels wait offshore, underscoring persistent delays that are costing businesses millions and undermining Kenya’s competitive edge in regional maritime trade.
Officials and industry stakeholders say that while operational reforms and government interventions have eased port pressures in recent months, the port continues to face capacity constraints, rising cargo volumes and logistical bottlenecks that keep ships at anchorage longer than expected.
At the height of the peak period earlier this year, upwards of 20 ships were recorded waiting to berth before the number dropped to around seven following coordinated efforts to improve efficiency.
Mombasa Port chokes againTwenty ships waiting at sea. Millions of dollars lost in delays and business counting the cost. Congestion at the port of Mombasa has once again put Kenya’s busiest trade gateway under pressure.#NTVWeekendEdition @MichelleNgele_
Ships Anchored at Sea Reflect System Strain
The sight of vessels anchored offshore signals that demand for port services is outpacing available berth space and handling capacity.
Maritime agents and shippers warn that such congestion leads to increased charter costs, demurrage charges and supply chain disruptions, which ripple across importers, exporters and regional partners relying on timely cargo movement.
Industry players have linked these impacts to millions of dollars in added operating costs as delays frustrate cargo owners and freight forwarders.
While recent government efforts have helped reduce vessel waiting numbers, the reality remains that high cargo throughput and limited berth space expose underlying capacity challenges that require long-term infrastructure development and efficiency enhancements.
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Government Reforms and Operational Responses
To address the problem, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) have rolled out a set of targeted reforms aimed at accelerating cargo clearance and streamlining operations at the port.
The measures include transferring long-stay cargo that has remained in the yard for more than three weeks to designated inland container freight stations, freeing up critical space within the port yard to ease congestion.
Further efforts involve digital integration, expanded pre-arrival processing, and improved inland transport connections — including increased use of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) — to speed up cargo evacuation.
Port stakeholders have also discussed greater utilisation of the emerging Port of Lamu to divert some transhipment and eased pressure at Mombasa.
Broader Impacts on Trade and Competitiveness
Despite these reforms, global performance indexes have highlighted ongoing challenges at Mombasa.
A recent World Bank report placed the port among the lowest-ranking seaports globally on container performance metrics, largely due to prolonged vessel waiting times and operational bottlenecks that slow turnaround and diminish efficiency.
The result is a cost burden for traders and logistic firms that rely on predictable port turnaround times to meet delivery schedules.
Shipping agents have warned that persistent congestion affects Kenya’s standing as a competitive regional hub, with business and freight associations urging sustained reforms, infrastructure investment, and enhanced coordination across agencies to keep pace with growing trade volumes.
Outlook
With cargo throughput growing, Mombasa recently recorded a historic rise in handled cargo volumes, port planners remain focused on expansion projects, modernisation and continued reform implementation to prevent recurring build-ups of vessels and cargo.
Yet the current struggle with congestion and anchored ships at sea continues to serve as a reminder that evolving trade patterns require both strategic planning and practical solutions to ensure Kenya’s premier port remains efficient, competitive, and reliable
