by Nikkie Aisha on
A new vessel schedule by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) shows that 49 ships are expected to dock at the ports of Mombasa and Lamu over the next 14 days.
KPA’s schedule dated April 8 indicates that the majority of the vessels will dock at the Port of Mombasa, with six heading for Lamu.
Among the expected shipments are four vessels carrying petroleum or petroleum-related products, forming part of fuel and energy supplies entering the country.
Most of the other incoming ships are transporting containers, cars, bulk wheat, fertiliser, steel coils and general cargo.
The vessels transporting petroleum-related products include Velos Turquoise, which is set to dock in Mombasa on April 9, carrying gas oil. Beaufort will arrive on the same date with a shipment of butane.
Bow Aquarius, carrying base oil, is scheduled to arrive in Mombasa on April 12. Atahualpa, also transporting base oil to Mombasa, is listed to dock on April 13.
The arrival of the petroleum-linked cargo comes at a time when the country has been experiencing fuel supply constraints in several regions.
Motorists in Nairobi and other towns have recently reported long queues at petrol stations, with some outlets warning of limited stocks. Motorists in towns such as Nakuru and Kericho have been forced to travel longer distances to access fuel.
In some areas, including Nyamira, fuel stations have had to shut down temporarily due to supply challenges.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has raised concerns over reports that some oil marketing companies are deliberately hoarding petroleum products and restricting supply to independent retailers in anticipation of price increases, saying the practice is unlawful under the Petroleum Act.
EPRA has also flagged cases of marketers selling fuel above the set wholesale prices, warning that such actions were worsening the supply situation being experienced across the country.
The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) issued a statement dismissing fears of a supply crisis. It assured that the country has enough fuel stocks to meet both current and future demand, despite reported shortages. KPC released stock figures indicating that inventory levels remain stable.
