Import cargo to Uganda through the Mombasa port has increased as the landlocked country remains the dominant  destination for goods passing through the facility.

According to the Kenya Ports Authority, Uganda cargo handled at the port between January and June increased by 14.4 per cent to 2.72 million tonnes compared to 2.38 million tonnes during the same period in 2013.

This comes as overall import cargo traffic to neighbouring countries recorded a 9.6 per cent growth to stand at 3.53 million tonnes from 3.22million tonnes last year.

Uganda controls about 73 per cent of market share of transit cargo at the Mombasa facility with motor vehicle units being among the top transit cargo.

Rwanda recorded 12.5 per cent growth with 110,540 tonnes from 98,240 tonnes in 2013. Burundi recorded a modest growth of 0.8 per cent.

In a press statement on port performance for the first six months of 2014, KPA MD Gichiri Ndua said overall cargo volumes at the Port of Mombasa rose by 12.8 per cent bringing the  total cargo throughput between January and June 2014 to 11.9 million tonnes from 10.5 million tonnes over a similar period last year.

“Besides the increase in overall cargo output, the volume of goods destined for neighboring countries most notably Uganda has raised this year. Uganda our biggest transit market has continued to increase its usage of the port,” said Ndua.

He attributed the performance to the opening of berth 19 in August last year, improved cargo handling infrastructure, and removal of non-tariff barriers.

Source URL: The Star

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