KPA Implements New Tariffs at Mombasa and Lamu Ports Amid Rising Regional Shipping Costs

By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter

Kenya, 24 December 2025 - The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has officially implemented a revised tariff structure at both the Port of Mombasa and the newly operational Lamu Port, ushering in higher fees for port services, cargo handling, vessel operations, storage and related logistics, a move aimed at aligning charges with rising operational costs and financing ongoing infrastructure upgrades.

Under the updated KPA Tariff Book 2025, which came into effect after months of industry engagement and legal challenges, several significant cost increases took hold:

Dangerous cargo container storage fees have more than doubled.
Vessel services, such as tugs and salvage operations and hire of equipment like cranes and forklifts, now carry much steeper charges.
Paperwork penalties for late documentation and amended consignment details can exceed KSh 15,000 per container.
Handling fees for bulk imports such as cement, steel and tiles have been raised by 20–30 per cent, directly affecting major sectors like construction and manufacturing.

KPA officials, including Managing Director Captain William Ruto, have defended the increases, saying the fees are critical for supporting digital transformation, green port initiatives, modernisation projects, and broader infrastructure expansion, including improved capacity at Mombasa and development of Lamu as a complementary hub.

The tariff overhaul was originally scheduled to take effect in September 2025, but was delayed due to a High Court injunction after freight associations challenged the legality of the increases, arguing they were introduced without adequate consultation.

The recent implementation followed an out‑of‑court settlement between KPA and the Kenya Ship Agents Association (KSAA).

The tariff changes at Kenya’s ports come at a time of broader cost pressures in regional shipping markets. Major global carriers such as Maersk and MSC have introduced peak season surcharges and freight rate adjustments on routes from Asia to East African ports, for example, Maersk’s revised Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) for cargo from Far East Asia to Kenya and Tanzania is set to take effect in January 2026.

Similarly, MSC announced substantial all‑in freight rate increases on Far East to East Africa routes, reflecting broader cost inflation and network adjustments.

Shipping surcharges and congestion fees have been a feature of 2025, with carriers such as MSC also proposing congestion surcharges at Mombasa due to handling delays.

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These carrier‑driven price changes, combined with port tariff adjustments, are likely to ripple out to importers, exporters and end consumers, increasing the cost of goods across Kenya and neighbouring landlocked markets.

Compounding regional trade tensions, the Government of South Sudan introduced new shipment tracking fees and altered container deposit requirements for cargo bound for Juba late in 2025, a move that caught many shippers and clearing agents by surprise due to lack of stakeholder consultation.

Mombasa‑based freight operators have warned the fees could disrupt trade flows and cause delays and financial losses, even as South Sudan hopes to increase cargo volumes by making imports cheaper over the long term.

Relations have been strained culturally and economically, with some reports indicating diplomatic friction over the impact of Kenya’s new port tariffs on South Sudan’s cargo handling costs.

The combined effect of port tariff increases, carrier surcharges, and regional fee disputes comes against a backdrop of expanding port capacity in East Africa.

Kenya is positioning Mombasa and Lamu as major trans‑shipment and inland trade gateways, with strategic projects such as the Lamu–South Sudan–Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET) long‑term infrastructure plan advancing connectivity across the region.

While authorities argue these tariff reforms are essential for modernising port infrastructure and enhancing efficiency, industry stakeholders remain wary of short‑term impacts on trade costs and supply chain competitiveness.