Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) has waived storage fees for empty containers held in various state holding facilities since June 1 this year, giving a reprieve to local and regional importers.
The state agency said the waiver was agreed after it was established that importers were affected by the challenges of Covid-19.
After the cargo is delivered to the final destination, an empty container should be returned to the shipping line within a free period of 14 days for local and 45 days for transit cargo.
KPA offers a seven-day free storage fee for empty containers before it starts to levy Sh1, 500($15) for a 20-foot and Sh2, 200 ($22) for a 40-foot container until it is removed from its depots. The move to backdate the extension of the free period means importers will now enjoy over two months free period. Last week, KMA announced that it had given seven days free period for transit cargo and three days for local cargo respectively being moved along the Northern corridor with effect from July 1 this year.
In a letter to shipping agents dated June 10 this year, TASAC director-general Mr. Emmanuel Ndomba also cut down the free period for containers destined to Zambia from 40 days to 50 days in the new arrangement. He halted the use of the storing order on receiving/returning empty containers with immediate effect to improve the availability of equipment and trucks.
