The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has announced that 55 ships are expected to dock at the ports of Mombasa and Lamu over the next two weeks, bringing relief amid growing concerns over fuel shortages in the country.
According to KPA, the vessels will carry different types of cargo, including fuel, cooking gas, wheat, fertiliser, vehicles, palm oil, steel products and containers.
Among the incoming vessels are four oil tankers expected to help boost fuel supply at a time when many motorists and transporters have complained about fuel shortages in several parts of the country.
This comes ahead of an inspection by Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) on Thursday, May 14, where Kenyans fear another hike in the price of fuels.
According to KPA, some of the ships arriving at the two ports include 31 container ships, 16 conventional vessels, four car carriers and four oil tankers.
In addition, ships arriving include Jan Raspail, which carries butane gas, Vera, Dorado and Melati 4, which are bringing palm oil to Kenya.
The government also stated that several shipments carrying wheat are expected to arrive in the country to aid the process of securing food supply in the nation.
“Over 55 vessels will call at the ports of Mombasa and Lamu in the next 14 days,” KPA explained in a ship schedule update.
These announcements come against a background where concerns have been raised regarding the fuel situation causing delays and uncertainties in transportation.
Recently, Kenya Transporters Association warned that the fuel shortages are causing delays in their work all across the country.
The transporters urged the Ministry of Energy to explain the current situation regarding the fuel reserves of the country as well as timelines of when things will normalize.
Nonetheless, despite all these fears, the government officials are resolute in their conviction that the country has sufficient amounts of fuel and that the strategic stocks are stable.
The cost of fuel in Nairobi is currently at Ksh197.60 for each liter of petrol, Ksh196.63 for diesel, and Ksh152.78 for kerosene.
Kenyans are now eagerly anticipating the next announcement regarding the fuel prices by EPRA, as they believe that the arrival of the tankers will bring about stability.