Transporters sound alarm over cargo bottleneck at Mombasa port as empty containers pile up
KTA noted that the situation has turned trucks into makeshift storage units, leading to reduced fleet productivity, missed delivery deadlines, and rising operational costs for transporters.
The Kenya Transporters Association (KTA) has sounded the alarm over a growing crisis at the Port of Mombasa, where delays in the return and evacuation of empty shipping containers have brought cargo movement to a near-halt.
In a statement, KTA Chairperson Newton Wang’oo said transporters are facing mounting losses due to long queues at container depots, some of which are operating far beyond their designed capacity.
According to the KTA, the root of the crisis lies in the failure of shipping lines to repatriate empty containers on time.
This has resulted in serious backlogs at private depots, with trucks spending hours, and in many cases, days, waiting to offload empty units.
The association noted that the situation has turned trucks into makeshift storage units, leading to reduced fleet productivity, missed delivery deadlines, and rising operational costs for transporters.
The crisis is being worsened by rigid container return policies, where shipping lines demand that empties be returned only to designated depots, regardless of their congestion levels.
KTA further noted that some depots have introduced internal prioritisation systems that favour containers close to the end of their free storage period, which has opened the door to manipulation and corruption.
“In effect, transporters are forced to 'negotiate' their way into depots or wait indefinitely while incurring losses,” KTA said in a statement.
In addition, the association highlighted that some depot locations, especially in Changamwe, are causing serious traffic congestion and road safety risks. It warned that relying on traffic police alone to manage these situations is unsustainable.
The association also said that many depots are overcrowded and lack the infrastructure, space, and equipment to manage current volumes, resulting in long delays and higher operational costs for transporters.
Further, KTA criticised the ongoing imposition of demurrage charges on transporters, even though the delays are largely beyond their control.
KTA proposed several short-term and long-term solutions, including allowing direct return of empty containers to the port, decentralising return locations, suspending demurrage charges, relocating depots to less congested areas, and improving depot infrastructure.
“We urgently need to relocate depots from heavily congested corridors like Changamwe to less pressured areas such as Bonje or Mariakani, which offer more space and better infrastructure for future growth. Additionally, it must be mandatory for all depots to establish designated truck holding zones, equipped with basic amenities, to prevent trucks from spilling onto public roads and causing further disruption,” said the Association.
The association called on the Kenya Maritime Authority to urgently convene a high-level stakeholder meeting that includes representatives from shipping lines, KPA, depot operators, freight forwarders, and government agencies.
The aim, KTA said, should be to develop permanent, actionable, and sustainable solutions that align with the growing demands of the port and logistics sector.
“Kenya’s logistics sector is under immense pressure, with the poor handling of empty container logistics threatening to undermine hard-earned progress in trade efficiency and port modernisation. This isn’t just a short-term inconvenience; it’s a sign of a deeper, systemic failure that requires immediate, collective, and sustained intervention,” stated KTA.
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