We offer a range of marine, cargo handling and logistics services with the aim of moving your cargo seamlessly and efficiently across the region and to the world.
The Port of Mombasa is situated along Latitudes 4°03ʹS – Longitudes 39° 39ʹE - East African coast. The Port Tidal range is as follows
The Ports of Mombasa and Lamu offers pilotage services which is compulsory for all vessels. Vessels calling the Ports have to be piloted through the channels to the port unless exempted by management. The ports are served by four pilot boats available round the clock.
The use of tugs and mooring boats is compulsory for all vessels calling the Port of Mombasa and Lamu. With a fleet of six high powered tug boats, we are always on call and ready to offer tuggage services to inbound and outbound vessels. KPA also offers salvage services with the latest acquisition of 120 Tonnes bollard pull salvage tug; a modern high performance Azimurth Stern Driven tug that can offer salvage operations in the high seas, port areas and anywhere around the world.
We prioritize the efficient handling of your cargo from the ship to the quayside. At KPA, we offer a range of stevedoring services including offloading and loading of cargo from a ship’s hold to a quay, berth, wharf and pier. This includes the shifting of cargo onboard a ship without landing on quay, restow (landing the shifted cargo on a quay and re-shipping it back to the ship), opening and closing of Hatch covers or Pontoons upon request. With modern and adequate equipment at the ports coupled with customer-centric services from our team, we guarantee you efficient cargo offtake. For further information refer to section II KPA tariff
Shore handling refers to the handling of cargo at the Shore side or at a place near the quay but within the port precinct. Generally, shore handling is the process of receiving and stacking cargo of import and/or export cargo, handling or transfer of cargo within the port and handling or transfer of cargo for delivery or loading. Examples of shore handling activities would include, but not limited to: remarshaling, reefer plugging, stripping and/or restuffing, handling of self-propelled units, handling of crated animals. Shorehandling charges are incurred on Cargo, Commodity, Package, Container for rendering shore services by the port through supply of labour with/without equipment for transportation of cargo from hook point to stacking point (including loading at hook point), unloading of the same at the stacking point and subsequent loading for delivery or vice-versa. For further information refer to section III KPA tariff
Derived from the word ‘stevedore’, stevedoring technically means "from the first point in the ships or ship’s hold to the first point on the quay or vice versa". It is therefore the process of loading or discharging/ offloading of a ship or cargo to/from a ship. Stevedoring charges are incurred for discharging and loading of goods from a ship hold to either a quay, berth, wharf, pier. This includes shifting of cargo onboard a ship without landing on quay, restow (landing the shifted cargo on a quay and re-shipping it back to the ship) as well as opening and closing of Hatch covers or Pontoons, upon request. For further information refer to section II KPA tariff
The Ferry Operation department is responsible for ferrying motorists, passengers and cargo. This includes petroleum products across the Likoni and Mtongwe channels by use of ferries as per traffic demand while ensuring safety of the ferry users. The current carriage of Likoni channel constitutes vehicular traffic with daily average of 150,000 pedestrians and 5,800 vehicles. In the Mtongwe channel one ferry operates from Monday to Saturday. The landing facilities are pontoons usable for pedestrians and cyclists. Works are ongoing to upgrade it to ramp to accommodate cars. The department currently runs a fleet of 7 ferries: MV Jambo, MV Safari, MV Kilindini, MV Nyayo, MV Harambee, MV kwale and Likoni. For further information refer to KPA Ferry Services
The Port of Mombasa has superior fire services and equipment to guarantee the safety of people and infrastructure in case of emergencies. This includes fire prevention & training (fire detection & suppression system, inspection and issuance of hot work permits prior to commencement of hot works, installation of portable fire extinguishers at strategic locations within port premises as well as Ambulance services. Port Fire Services Operates three fire engines with a water capacity of 10000 liters each and has a water reserve of 300,000 liters. We offer Fire & Rescue services with the purpose to enhance community safety, quality of life and confidence by minimizing the impact of hazards and emergency incidents on the port users, environment and economy of the country.
As one of the country's largest well-equipped fire and rescue services, we manage fire emergencies in Mombasa County. We respond to rescues, hazardous materials incidents and possible emergency activities across the County. We work with other government agencies to minimize the impact of fires, floods, landslides, building collapses, motor vehicle accidents and other emergencies. We also run prevention and preparedness programs to prevent these emergencies and reduce their impact on the port community. The Port Fire services also offers 24/7 hours ambulance services, emergency services, manned by firefighters, the ambulance is used in Fire and Rescue as a first responder in the most serious medical emergencies.
Kenya Ports Authority recognizes and appreciates the importance of health and safety matters in the organization and appreciates that effective health and safety arrangements prevents accidents, controls workplace hazards and preserves life. To translate this commitment into action, the Authority has put in place a Health and Safety Management System which defines the roles and responsibilities of all employees, port users and contractors aimed at inculcating best work practices, accident prevention and environmental conservation to enhance competency and productivity. The Authority has also developed guidelines and procedures to ensure health and safety at the workplace. We are committed to a safe workplace and are constantly striving to improve our health and safety performance, with the goal of achieving an incident free workplace. We expect everyone to take personal accountability for safety and above all, we value human life.
It is an offence to discharge or allow escape willfully, or accidentally, any oil, oily mixture, oily/dirty ballast or contaminated bilge water or noxious sewage from any vessel within Mombasa Port limits. Replenishment of bunkers, whether from sea or shore, will be permitted only on special application monitored by the port's pollution control personnel and shall be carried out in day light hours only. Inter - tank transfers of oil or ballast water, de-ballasting or discharge over board of wash water etc. should not be carried out without permission of Port Control. Emission of dense smoke is prohibited from vessels within Port limits. It is an offence to throw or dump galley refuse, garbage, rubbish and hold sweepings etc. into the water or on the berths. Offending vessel is liable to large fines. No chipping or painting to be carried out alongside berth. KPA is a member of OSMAG (Oil Spill Mutual Aid Group) to monitor, control and combat any oil spill within the harbour. The group has modern equipment the bulk of which is in the Port, capable of controlling Tier I level spillage.
It is a breach of the Harbour Regulations to discharge garbage into Harbour waters. All garbage must be placed in vermin proof receptacles until disposed in the designated dumping area. All vessels must comply with Annex V of the international convention for the prevention of pollution from ships (MARPOL73/78) Vessels must notify the Harbour Master of their intention to dispose garbage.
The Port of Mombasa is a centre for maritime search and rescue in the region. The centre is manned by multi-agency team led by Kenya Maritime Authority. Recently KPA acquired a new salvage boat with 120bollard tonnes capable of carrying out salvage operations anywhere in the world.
Fresh water is available at Berths No.1 to No.3 on shore hydrants. Average rate is 20 tons per hour. Fresh water is also available at anchorage by freshwater barge (max. 300 tons per trip and harbour tug El¬-Lamy (max 150 tons per trip).
Ship chandling services at the Port of Mombasa are offered by private companies. Interested vessels can access the services through their respective ships’ agents.
Bunkering services are available at the Port of Mombasa. This service is offered by private oil marketing companies either at the Shimanzi Oil Terminal or by barge. Mombasa also has the biggest dry dock facility in East and Central Africa for the repair of marine crafts.