The Kenya Ports Authority has committed to eliminating barriers hindering cold chain logistics as part of the wider reforms to enhance service delivery at the facility.
Speaking during a media engagement facility visit at Vertical Agro EPZ Limited, both KPA Board Chairman Benjamin Tayari and Managing Director Capt. William Ruto emphasized the need to recognize the global trends towards the movement of fresh produce and horticultural commodities via sea transport.
“The authority has expressed its commitment towards enhancing cold chain logistics for fresh produce,” KPA said in a statement.
“Globally, ports play a crucial role in growing the economies of a nation and the region at large. At the policy level, the Board has ensured the provision of a conducive environment for the growth of the port industry,” Tayari observed.
Highlighting KPA’s initiatives towards facilitating efficient and safe cargo delivery through the country’s ports, Tayari outlined the authority’s dedication to overseeing crucial port reforms aimed at the elimination of non-tariff Barriers along trade corridors.
KPA MD Ruto
Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Capt. William Ruto noted that the volume of export reefer cargo passing through the port has been on the rise.
Ruto said in the first quarter of 2024, the authority recorded 6813 twenty-foot equivalent units(TEU), a six per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023.
The media facility visit aimed to underscore the significance of reliable cold chain infrastructure in ensuring the quality and safety of fresh produce as it moves through the supply chain.
Ruto revealed that the ports authority had installed a total of 1,367 refrigerated container plugging points; Port of Mombasa 795, Inland Container Depot (ICD) Nairobi 336, Port of Lamu 216 and Naivasha ICD 20 to achieve its goals of preserving perishable cargo.
The event was attended by KPA Board Directors Consolata Lusweti, Ahmed Muktar, Chris Makokha and Beatrice Nyamoita.
Also in attendance were general managers Edward Kamau (corporate services), Evelyn Mwamure (Corporate planning research and compliance) and Matthews Amuti (Infrastructure development).
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