Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) is looking to upgrade its terminal operating system either through an overhaul or a modification to improve efficiencies at the Port of Mombasa that serves as the gateway to East Africa.
In an international open tender announced in October, the KPA is inviting bids for review, design and implementation of the system.
According to the tender documents, the port operator is looking for options to either upgrade the system or overhaul it.
“Where the consultant recommends an upgrade only as opposed to procurement of new system the distinction of cost elements should also be distinctly identified ideally on cost and re-imbursables on a time based contract model,” the tender read.
The port serves as an exchange point for both imports and exports for Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi, and Kenya with inefficiencies directly impacting their economies.
“The unprecedented growth in traffic has exerted pressure on the existing ICT infrastructure. It is for this reason that KPA is seeking to engage a suitably qualified consultant to guide the authority appropriately,” the firm said in the tender.
Shippers and clearing agents have been calling for the upgrade of the system to the globally acceptable standards that would enable receipt of precise information of cargo prior to its arrival at the port.
A review of the KWATOS system comes at a time Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda are preparing to start real-time tracking of transit cargo from January that is expected to accelerate cargo clearance of the port, minimise transit diversion and ensure seamless movement of goods.
The recent scrapping of security bond on the transshipment containers by KRA as part of the targeted pre-clearance of 70 per cent of total cargo is further expected to increase volumes at the port with the anticipated return of larger vessels.
KPA installed the Kilindini Waterfront Automated terminal operating system (KWATOS) version 7.1 in 2008 allowing for the automation of key port areas, including container, conventional and marine operations.
With advances in technology, the TOS has over eight years been upgraded to current KWATOS version 7.7 and moved to a fully web -based technology and currently integrates operational activities covered in the Nairobi and Kisumu inland container depots.
The system has also been customised to integrate functions that have recently been moved online as a way to ensure faster clearance of goods as well as reduce revenue leakages like the national single window system, the taxman’s Simba system and the Single Customs Territory.
The tender is expected to close on Friday November 4, following an extension from the initial deadline of October 27.
KPA expects that the tendering and contract signing would take about three months with the new consultant taking a similar period of time to study the current system before making recommendations that would be implemented over one and a half years.
