Cargo volumes at the port of Mombasa are expected to reduce in the next few weeks as the outbreak of the coronavirus continues to afflict China’s manufacturing and overseas trade. China is the main source market of East African manufactured goods.
According to the Shippers Council of Eastern Africa (SCEA), there will also be an increase of vessels’ docking time at the port as authorities around the world, including the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), screen all crew members for the virus and inspect all vessels entering their ports.
The country is still gauging the impact of the outbreak in China as small-scale importers from East Africa are being denied visas to travel to China for business.
Kenya’s import cargo of electronics and surgical gears are reportedly stuck in China as suppliers have not made it there due to travel restrictions.
All vessels and crew members who have visited China in the past 14 days are now instructed to fill Maritime Declaration health forms stating their health status before arriving into Kenyan waters.
