Port Users Want Faster Clearance of Goods

Kilindini port users yesterday welcomed automated operations at the harbour, but called for a reduction in the number of clearance procedures to make the new system more effective.

The Kilindini Waterfront Project has automated containers, cargo, inland container depots and operations in Nairobi and Kisumu, replacing the manual system.

Stakeholders hope the new system will reduce cargo dwell time at the port and cut down on storage costs that arise from delays.

They, however, expressed fear that the lengthy clearance system will be subject to teething problems until all users get familiar with it.

"People are not well prepared and the programme might bring a lot of confusion," said Samuel Githendu of Freight Point Ltd.

"Unless the port is intending to do away with some of the procedures, I can assure you that things will not work out well from tomorrow."

A human element to the success of the project was also at play. "The huge bureacracy the system seeks to do away with has created corruption and some people might not be willing to support the new initiative," he said.

However, Harbour Master and Chief Operations Manager, Captain Twalib Khamis, said the programme had an inbuilt system that incorporates new users.

"We are also offering refresher courses and we have established a help desk," he said.

He added that KPA had installed a broadband frequency to avoid internet related glitches as users deploy the facility. "We might be flexible to allow the use of a manual system in the event that the programme faces challenges that might derail it," he added.

Mr Githendu said the project also needs to be backed by the expansion of the container terminal if congestion at the port has to be minimised. The programme has the potential to reduce bureaucracy in clearing cargo at the port.

Presently, it takes 10 days to clear local cargo and 15 days to clear transit cargo. The process can some times take a month, increasing cost since the port gives a grace period of 10 days before charging storage fee.

Under the programme, clients are required to lodge documents electronically. KPA expects to face some administrative problems before the programme finally takes shape. "KPA will maintain a high level staff sensitisation on the system so that there is adherence to processes and procedures," said Abdallah Mwaruwa, the managing director.

Suspended operations

KPA said timelines for submission of planning documents by shipping lines will be strictly adhered to. Penalties will include prohibition for ships to berth if the documents have not been received.

Shipping agents handling vessels calling at the Port of Mombasa were required to submit relevant documents by 15th of this month. The port suspended operations on Sunday to facilitate planning and stock taking before the programme was officially launched.

However, exporters have successfully been using the programme for the last two weeks. KPA says that it has trained over 900 end users in what was deemed as critical for the implementation of the system.

The authority has entered into a contract with Psion Teklogic of South Africa to supply, install and commission a radio data terminal wireless infrastructure that will replace the manual tally.

The Sh450 million project kicked off in January 2006. In the first stage, KPA undertook a study of its business processes and later developed user requirements. A South Korean firm, Total Soft, was hired to undertake this study and presented its report to KPA 10 months later.

The next stage involved system construction, which took place in Korea for seven months. Later, the software was received at a cost of Sh200 million and installed in last July. Two months later, the Mombasa Conventional Cargo and Marine Software was installed. A total of Sh250 million went into gate modernisation, wireless network and upgrading network and weighing bridge.

KPA undertook its first IT strategy four years ago, when it adopted resource planning system using System Applications Products, SAP, which automated financial, human resource and procurement procedures.

What remained was cargo and marine operations, which the new project now seeks to achieve.

The third and final phase of computerisation, which aims at making the port's operations paperless by 2010, will create a platform for stakeholders to communicate with the port online.