The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has announced plans to increase tariffs on services at the Port of Mombasa beginning September 15, this year.
In a notice dated Tuesday, August 12, KPA is expected to increase tariffs for various services handled at the Mombasa Port, including marine operations, ship dues, shore handling and storage services.
According to KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto, the increase in seaport service fees from Ksh3,000 to Ksh15,000 was in line with its mandate under the KPA Act of 1978.
He disclosed that the new charges were formulated after consultations with relevant stakeholders within Kenya and the broader East African region, replacing the previous rates introduced in 2012.
While making the announcement, Captain Ruto called on Kenyans with reservations to do so through the Authority's online portal or directly contact the organisation through its official email.
"KPA wishes to notify its customers that it has completed the process of reviewing charges for services rendered to vessels at its seaports and to cargo consignments and obtained the requisite approvals for implementation," Ruto announced.
"The KPA Tariff 2025 edition will be published and shall take effect from 15th September 2025. To view or download a copy of the KPA Tariff 2025 online, kindly access the KPA website," he added.
The latest announcement comes as a major setback for importers as the new rates signal an increase in the cost of importing goods through the country's main seaport.
However, the new rates have drawn concerns from various stakeholders, including the Kenya Transporters Association, which has criticised the government for hiking the tariffs without adequate consultations.
The Association, led by its Chairperson Newton Wang'oo, claim that the new rates will not only affect Kenyans but the wider region, and could prompt retaliation from other countries.
Meanwhile, before its implementation, KPA conducted consultations in Mombasa and Nairobi counties, extending the engagements on the new tariffs to stakeholders in Kampala and Rwanda.
The move to review the tariffs follows a recommendation from the Maritime Business and Economic Consultants, a firm believed to be owned by former KPA executives, which advised on the new pricing structure.
