Traders at the port of Mombasa have called out the government of South Sudan for the congestion of cargo currently witnessed at the facility.
In a press briefing in Mombasa on Thursday, January 2, the traders, under their umbrella body of the Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA), blamed the South Sudanese government for imposing taxes on cargo destined for the country.
The traders allege that cargo set for South Sudan has been stuck at the port for over one month, causing losses to the traders who have to pay for demurrage charges.
Demurrage charges are fees that must be paid when cargo remains at a port or terminal for longer than the agreed-upon free period specified in a shipping contract.