Kenya: Cargo documentation goes electronic

News was prepared under the information support of Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and international Shipping "Hellenic Shipping News".

30 Jun 2008

Documentation of cargo at the Mombasa port will go electronic from tomorrow, setting the stage for seamless flow of consignment. The new waterfront system replaces the manual processes in use since inception more than 50 years ago. Port authorities said the launch of the water tracking system at the Kilindini harbour should reduce the turnaround and dwell time for ships to less than two days from the current average of four days. To ensure a smooth flow of exports, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has in the past two weeks been testing a parallel run for lodgment and clearing of cargo. “This testing should prepare external parties to adapt to the new electronic processes that we are about to adopt,” KPA said in a statement.
The revised documentation and cargo clearance procedures will apply at the port of Mombasa and container depots in Nairobi and Kisumu and marine operations.
Last Friday, the port temporarily stopped its operations to pave the way for the change-over. Normal operations are expected to resume  this afternoon.
“In order to facilitate a smooth transition to the new system, the port will remain closed to all cargo handling operations between June 27 and June 30,” KPA said.
Under the electronic clearing system, port users will be able to immediately lodge shipping orders with the customs department for faster verification and release of cargo. The Kilindini waterfront project kicked off in January 2006 and went through user requirements collection, system construction and implementation phases.
Kenya International Freight Forwarders and Warehousing Association (Kifwa) national chairman, Gerald Kagumo, said: “Ultimately, this system should bring to reality seamless operations between KPA and Kenya Revenue Authority’s Simba system.”

Source: Business Daily Africa