Explainer: What motorists will pay under revised ferry charges
By Aloys Michael, May 23, 2026The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has announced revised cross-channel ferry charges that will see motorists and other ferry users pay higher fees beginning Friday, May 22, 2026.
In a notice issued on May 22, KPA advised ferry users and the public to familiarise themselves with the new rates outlined under Clause 23 of the Authority’s Tariff Book.
“The Authority wishes to inform ferry users and the general public that the revised Cross-Channel Ferry Charges will take effect from Friday, 22nd May 2026,” the notice read in part.
Under the revised charges, motorists will now pay ferry fees based on the type and size of their vehicles, with rates calculated per metre.
Motorists driving light vehicles below 4.5 metres, including saloon cars, will pay Ksh180 per metre, while those measuring between 4.6 and 6.0 metres will be charged Ksh225 per metre.
SUVs and CUVs under 6.0 metres will also attract Ksh225 per metre, while vans and pickup trucks will be charged between Ksh350 and Ksh438 per metre, depending on classification.
Motorcycles and handcarts will pay Ksh75, while tuk-tuks will be charged Ksh100.
Public transport vehicles will face significantly higher charges, with minibuses and shuttles attracting Ksh900 per metre, while buses measuring between 9 and 11 metres will pay Ksh1,650 per metre.
Truck operators will also face increased costs under the revised tariffs. Light trucks will pay between Ksh438 and Ksh500 per metre, medium trucks between Ksh750 and Ksh1,125, while heavy trucks will be charged between Ksh1,500 and Ksh1,875 per metre, depending on size.
Very heavy trucks measuring between 15 metres and over 17 metres will pay between Ksh1,875 and Ksh2,125 per metre.
KPA also introduced higher charges for trailers and fuel transport vehicles. Empty truck trailers will cost Ksh7,000, while loaded trailers will attract Ksh7,950.
Tankers will be charged Ksh750 per metre, while petrol vehicles and fuel-related trailers will pay between Ksh3,225 and Ksh8,325 depending on size and load.
Abnormal loads will attract a flat fee of Ksh15,950, while charges for vehicles not listed in the schedule will be determined by the Authority upon application.
In addition to ferry crossing fees, KPA revised annual Port Pass and Entry charges for motorists and other port users.
Ordinary annual passes will cost Ksh1,250, while VIP passes will cost Ksh3,000 per year.
Motorbike and scooter owners will pay Ksh300 annually, saloon car owners Ksh750, while owners of pickups, SUVs, and CUVs will pay Ksh1,000.
Taxi operators will be charged Ksh1,500 annually, while vans, minibuses, and canters will pay Ksh2,000. Lorries, tractors, cranes, and forklifts will attract Ksh3,000 annual fees.
For daily access passes, individuals will pay Ksh100 per day. Motorbikes, scooters, saloon cars, and station wagons will each pay Ksh300 daily.
Pickups, vans, SUVs, and CUVs will attract Ksh600 daily charges, while lorries, tractors, bulldozers, cranes, and construction equipment will pay Ksh1,000 per day.