With reports indicating that the Northern Corridor has registered a slight increase in efficiency, it is envisioned that the Mombasa port dwell time can be reduced further if cargo processors meet performance targets.
The dwell time in April ranged between 59.6 hours to 65.51 hours against a target of 72 hours, according to a report released by the Shipper’s Council.
Cargo delays after release is estimated to be at an average of 36.96 hours to 54.74 against a target of 36 hours.
The report indicates that ship turnaround time at the facility averaged at 71.42 to 82.93 hours.
“The time varied based on the quantity and type of cargo a vessel has to discharge or load, the type and characteristics of a vessel, and the type of equipment and other resources used at the berth.
The fluctuating performance was attributed to availability of equipment, improved productivity of the gangs and the implementation of fixed berthing window from August 2015 to date. Ship waiting time before berth was between 3.53 to 29.82 hours against a set target of 24 hours,” the report says.
Lowest average clearance time at the one-stop-centre iwas 44.55 hours and the highest 49.01 hours.
“Factors that contributed to this disparity include last-minute changes to import documents, several agencies not working round the clock and delays in physical verification or joint inspection of cargo.”
Customs clearance at the document processing centre averaged between 2.03 and 2.89 hours against a recommended target of two hours.
“This process has over time proved to be lengthy due to submission of wrong documents by clearing agents, forcing them to resubmit,” says the report.
Source: Mediamax

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