Clients awaiting shipments to Dar es Salaam are currently facing significant delays due to a barge that has been stranded along Nyali Creek in Mombasa for over two months. The barge, which ran aground on May 29 with 209 containers, remains immobilized, causing major disruptions in the delivery of goods.

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The vessel, operated by Comarco Group and chartered by Messina Shipping Line, has been stuck since the incident occurred. Efforts to retrieve the barge have been minimal, with neither Comarco, Messina Shipping Line, nor the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) providing updates or addressing the situation publicly.

This week, the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), which oversees the Kenyan maritime sector, expressed concerns over the ongoing delay. KMA maritime research officer John Omondi reported that the Comarco barge 3652, which was being towed by MV Northwind, became stranded after breaking away on May 21. Local company Alpha Logistics attempted to intervene but faced challenges due to adverse sea conditions, including strong winds and high swells.

Impact on Cargo Operations

The grounding has significantly impacted cargo operations at Mombasa Port. With the vessel blocking access, other ships are unable to dock, leading to a backlog of containers waiting to be unloaded. This situation has resulted in:

1. Increased Storage Costs: Importers are incurring additional costs due to the extended storage of their goods at the port.
2. Missed Delivery Deadlines: Delays in cargo clearance are causing businesses to miss critical delivery deadlines, potentially harming customer relationships and business operations.

Stakeholder Reactions

Stakeholders in the shipping and logistics industry are expressing concern over the delays. The situation emphasizes the need for efficient navigation and management practices at the port to prevent such incidents in the future.

Omondi stated, “We have been monitoring the delay in salvaging the vessel. The operators have cited high tides as a reason for the delay, but we have urged relevant authorities to resume the salvage operation to prevent further environmental damage.”

KMA has been conducting risk assessments to mitigate potential environmental impacts and has advised cargo owners to seek alternative methods to unload their goods. On the day the vessel ran aground, KPA suspended salvage efforts due to safety concerns and has been waiting for better weather conditions to resume operations.

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The barge became stranded despite warnings from port control and local pilots about adverse weather conditions. In response to the delays, Mombasa Port has been employing smaller vessels to enhance cargo transhipment to Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, and Comoros. This strategy has helped increase cargo throughput from 1.43 million metric tonnes in 2021 to 1.62 million metric tonnes in 2023.

To further address these challenges, the government is considering chartering vessels to handle local transhipments and recover over Sh600 billion in revenue currently lost to foreign-registered vessels annually. Mombasa Port handles more than two million containers each year, and these measures aim to improve efficiency and revenue retention within the local shipping industry.

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The grounding of the cargo vessel at Mombasa Port serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges faced in maritime logistics. As the situation develops, it is crucial for all stakeholders to remain informed and proactive in addressing the issues at hand. By working together, the logistics community can enhance the efficiency and reliability of operations at one of East Africa’s busiest ports. For ongoing updates regarding the situation at Mombasa Port and its implications for your logistics operations, stay connected with reliable news sources and industry communications.