The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) will from today begin implementing revised tariffs at the Mombasa and Lamu ports after the withdrawal of a court case opposing the new charges filed by the State agency and the Container Freight Station Association.
In a reminder notice to customers, the KPA said beginning December 22, the Tariff Book 2025 rates would take effect in line with the authority’s Act, Cap 391 of 1978.
“This is further to our earlier notice given in September 2025, regarding the publication and commencement of the reviewed tariff for the services rendered by the authority. Following the delivery of judgement in the court case Mombasa HCJR/E023/2025, the authority hereby notifies all customers and stakeholders that the KPA Tariff 2025 has been published and takes effect on December 22, 2025,” stated the notice by KPA Managing Director William Ruto.
Mr Ruto informed shipping lines that vessels arriving at the ports of Mombasa and Lamu after midnight at 0001 hours on December 22, shall pay port dues and stevedoring charges in compliance with the new tariff.
“To ensure a smooth transition, cargo owners and agents who lodge pickup orders, pre-advice notices, or make requests for additional services for cargo at the ports and inland container depots after midnight at 0001 hours on December 22, shall pay charges in compliance with the new tariff,” he added.
The contested Tariff Book 2025 was released by KPA in August to replace rates that have been in place since 2012 and was scheduled to take effect on September 15 this year.
However, it was opposed by the Container Freight Station Association, which moved to court to challenge the changes.
The CFS association withdrew the case a few weeks ago after agreeing to resolve the pending issues out of court.
In the case, the freight station lobby had asked the court to nullify Clause 15.5 of the Tariff Book 2025, which it claimed was discriminatory. The association had also opposed the introduction of shore handling charges on CFS cargo, higher stevedoring and wharfage rates, and the new “dirty cargo surcharge.”
The association argued that Cause 15.5 favours inland container depots with preferential tariffs while excluding CFSs, even though both are recognised customs areas under the East African Community Customs Management Act. KPA and the CFS association opted for an out-of-court settlement.
The introduction of the new charges by the port operator could see commodity prices rise significantly, as the revised rates replace the 2012 tariffs for marine services and ship dues, stevedoring services, shore handling, wharfage and storage services, as well as charges for general services.
Among the adjustments, trucking fees at the port of Mombasa were raised from Sh3,000 to Sh15,000, while clearing and forwarding agents were introduced to a new annual licence fee of Sh38,772. Wharfage is a levy charged on goods passing through a port to cover the use of port facilities.
Transporters and clearing and forwarding agents had also protested the increments and the introduction of new charges, arguing that they contravened the KPA Act.
Kenya Transporters Association chairman Newton Wang’oo said increasing truck port charges by more than 400 percent was unjustifiable and against their recommendations.
“We were shocked to see port pass charges rise from Sh3,000 to Sh15,000 in the new tariffs. The increment will not only affect Kenyan trucks but also other East African transporters, who have other options for routing their trucks. We have Dar es Salaam right on our doorstep, which can be an alternative,” said Mr Wang’oo.
He added, “This will disadvantage transporters since rail cargo operators at the port have not been subjected to any charges.”
Clearing and forwarding agents said the introduction of an annual $300 (Sh38,700) operating licence fee is another blow after Tanzania barred them from operating in its ports in July this year.
Port operators said they will pass the additional costs on to final consumers by loading the charges onto goods, as they explore alternative ways of opposing the tariffs either through the courts or further consultations.
