Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) will raise charges on at least 25 services at its Mombasa, Lamu and Inland Container Depots from September 15, 2025, a move expected to increase consumer prices.

The new rates, last reviewed in 2012, follow a Sh14.8 million consultancy by Maritime Business and Economic Consultants, a firm linked to former KPA executives.

They cover pilotage, tug and mooring services, harbour dues, buoyage, anchorage, water supply, salvage, towing, stevedoring, container handling, storage, penalties, ferry services and port access.

KPA managing director William Ruto confirmed the changes, saying, “Kenya Ports Authority wishes to notify its customers and other stakeholders that it has completed the process of reviewing charges for services rendered to vessels calling at its seaports and to cargo consignments handled at the ports and ICDs and obtained the requisite approvals for implementation.”

Annual licences will range from Sh58,268 to Sh1.9 million for operators such as ship equipment suppliers and specialised cargo handlers.

Shops, M-Pesa outlets, fuel companies and other port-based businesses will also pay more.

Access passes will cost Sh3,000 for ordinary users, Sh6,000 for VIPs, Sh5,000 for saloon cars, and Sh15,000 for heavy machinery.

Vessels will face annual fees of up to Sh971,148 or a per-call minimum of Sh23,307, up from Sh19,422. Container handling, storage and tug service charges will also increase.

Shippers Council of Eastern Africa chief executive Agayo Ogambi said costs per container could rise by 10–15 per cent for imports and two to five per cent for exports.

“We are yet to fully complete the analysis of the tariff lines impact but this will depend heavily on what costs the shipping lines pass to the shipper and, or how much they will be willing to absorb from the increases,” he said.

Ogambi added, “KPA insisted that they need additional resources to address the infrastructure gaps and meet expansion programme costs including the acquisition of adequate equipment to handle the growing businesses. We also note the introduction of some new charge-port greening and conservation. Our further analysis will see how many of our recommendations were conspired, what tariff lines remained same, witnessed increases, etcetera.”

He noted concerns over the five-day free storage period still including weekends and public holidays.

“To whom more is given, more is expected. We shall demand more from KPA and will explore mechanisms to secure compensation and rebates for any delays occasioned by them. We expect KPA to announce itself in improved service offering to shippers and shall demand as such.”

Former Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association chair Roy Mwanthi opposed the increases, stating, “We object and reject in capital letters.”

SCEA also said Lamu Port could benefit from more competitive rates but acknowledged, “We however commend KPA for sustaining some of the 2012 tariff lines, no increase and for some adjustments following the stakeholders' engagements.”

With just over a year to implementation, port users are weighing the impact on operations, while consumers brace for higher prices.