The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has announced an 80% amnesty on storage charges for long‑stay containers at the Port of Mombasa. This strategic move aims to alleviate congestion and expedite the clearance of overstayed cargo, which has been a persistent challenge for importers and transit cargo owners.
The amnesty applies to containers that have remained at the port for more than 21 days as of the date of the notice. Importers wishing to benefit must submit a waiver application.
Both domestic and transit goods are eligible under the scheme, which runs until November 6, 2025. Transit containers that do not qualify or are not cleared in time will be transferred to the Naivasha Inland Container Depot (ICD) at the owner’s cost, and storage charges will resume from the date the container landed in Mombasa.
This initiative comes at a critical time as the Port of Mombasa is set to handle a total of 50 vessels over the next 14 days, with 34 container ships, 11 conventional cargo vessels, 4 car carriers, and 2 oil tankers scheduled to dock. Simultaneously, the Port of Lamu is expected to receive 7 container vessels, signaling a significant uptick in maritime activity and the urgency to clear existing backlogs.
Stakeholders have largely welcomed the amnesty as a timely and pragmatic intervention. By forgiving the bulk of storage costs, there is potential to generate increased throughput — though KPA must ensure that the waiver process is transparent and accessible to avoid delays or perceptions of unfairness.
With the amnesty valid until early November, the coming weeks will be critical. The success of the initiative depends on how quickly cargo owners respond, customs and other agencies process necessary clearances, and KPA manages the physical logistics of emptying storage yards.
If successful, this could serve as a model for other ports in the region struggling with backlog, overstayed containers, and the ripple effects on trade competitiveness.