THE first phase of a second container terminal in Mombasa is to open one or two months ahead of schedule in March 2016, according to the Kenya Port Authority (KPA).
The new KES27 billion (US$279.47 million) terminal will have a capacity of 450,000 TEU and will increase the total annual terminal capacity at Mombasa port to 1.55 million TEU.
KPA's head of corporate affairs Bernard Osero told the Nairobi Star that 12 international and regional logistics firms are bidding for the contract to operate the terminal for 25 years and the operator is expected to be picked by September.
The short-listed companies include Hong Kong's China Merchants Holdings, DP World, APM Terminals, Cosco Pacific, Bollore Logistics, consortia Toyota and Kamigumi Company Ltd and Grup Maritim TCB, freight forwarders in Kenya, and Mitsubishi Corporation.
In March, the project received a boost after the Japanese government agreed to fund expansion works at the terminal with KES24.7 billion. The money will finance the construction of the new container terminal's berth 22, procurement of equipment and consultancy services, according to Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich.
Mr Osero said KPA targets 1.2 million TEU throughput this year, after traffic reached a record one million TEU last year.
Mombasa port handles imports and exports for Kenya and the hinterland which covers Uganda, DR Congo, Sudan, Rwanda and Burundi. It also moves cargo for Tanzania and Ethiopia.
PORTS
21 May 2015 - 23:59
New Mombasa box shop to be ready ahead of schedule in 2016
THE first phase of a second container terminal in Mombasa is to open one or two months ahead of schedule in March 2016, according to the Kenya Port Authority (KPA).
PORTS
21 May 2015 - 23:59
New Mombasa box shop to be ready ahead of schedule in 2016
This news 5236 hits received.
These news may also interest you