KENYA's government is seeking a private company to manage berths 20 and 21 at the port of Mombasa that would be willing to invest in a 51 per cent stake in the facilities, with the remaining 49 per cent going to Kenyan investors.
One of the main determining factors in qualifying to operate the berths is that the company has experience in operating a berth with a capacity of 400,000 TEU. Construction of the berths is scheduled to be completed by 2016.
According to Transport Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau, the move is aimed at ensuring faster operations at the port and enhancing efficiency, reports Nairobi's Capital FM.
"After the procurement process is over, which we are going to commence maybe in another months time, we will start international competitive bidding," Mr Kamau said.
The government official said the government wants Kenyans to own the remaining 49 per cent of the berths through the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).
"All people who are working up to berth 19 will continue working as usual because this is additional capacity. So it is more people coming in, it is more employment, it is faster movement of cargo and of course fulfilling the conditionality of the loan," he said.
The construction of the berths will cost the government a total of KES23 billion (US$260.2 million) and they will be able to handle 550,000 TEU containers annually.
In the last six months, container traffic at Mombasa was up 11. 5 per cent year on year reaching 463,807 TEU.
"I wish to note that this is above the average growth rate of eight per cent per annum," said KPA managing director Gichiri Ndua.
PORTS
26 August 2014 - 21:01
Kenya's government seeks to privatise berths 20 and 21 at Port of Mombasa
KENYA's government is seeking a private company to manage berths 20 and 21 at the port of Mombasa that would be willing to invest in a 51 per cent stake in the facilities, with the remaining 49 per cent going to Kenyan investors.
PORTS
26 August 2014 - 21:01
Kenya's government seeks to privatise berths 20 and 21 at Port of Mombasa
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